Chances for Success?
Afghanistan is a country of invasions. Historically they have suffered one invasion attempt after another. They have become skilled at pushing back. This is a nation of tribalism; primitive social structures owing much to a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam. This is a nation skilled at breeding fearsomely capable fighting stock.This is a nation whose long history has taught it that foreigners equal invasion equal conquest. This is a nation for whom foreigners appearing on its soil equates with intent to vanquish.
On the basis of all this history, of a country torn asunder time and again, and whose grim militias practise the efficient death-delivery of a people no longer having much to lose, yet hoping to gain the ouster of enemies, why would foreign troops, even though invited by a friendly government, think they are capable in short order of de-stinging their presence?
Little wonder that the Taliban find acquiescence and support among Afghanistan's hill tribes, along with those of Pakistan. For they are social, religious, political extensions of each other.
All cut from the same fierce no-foreigner-abiding cloth. Nor do they appreciate that their ancient tribal way of life is deprecated by the invaders purporting to hunt down warriors of their own stripe, for their own good. To help with the education of children, with the institution of egalitarian opportunities for women, and to ease the constrictions of religious fundamentalism.
All of which threaten a valued way of life.
Foreign invaders who claim to have the best interests of the population uppermost in mind, yet destroy valuable crops, leaving farmers desperate, their families destitute. Foreign troops who claim they wish to be friends with village elders, and who attempt to encourage tribal chiefs to join with their mission on behalf of the country by betraying those of their very tribes who have joined the Taliban, their brethren in religious observance and strictured social mores.
Yet hope springs eternal. NATO troops, so convinced of the good they are doing for the country with their presence, their personal sacrifices in striving mightily to bestow that benighted country with the elements of democracy to assure fairness, inclusivity and national cohesion through the installation of needed civic infrastructure.
Fighting a rear-guard action, with insurgents resurgent, flowing back time and again to areas previously cleansed of their presence.
A new strategy comes to light: "wanted" posters. A campaign to enlist Afghans in detecting suspicious strangers in their midst, to identify them and convey the knowledge of their presence to the occupying troops. For monetary rewards. For the promise of a brighter future.
These "wanted" Taliban fighters, so successful in their guerrilla tactics, ambushing foreign troops, setting IEDs with the connivance of tribal Afghans are to be turned in.
As though Afghans who have so much in common with the Taliban (who are, after all, themselves, though considered extremists by urbanites), and who are embraced by the extended south and east provinces and the village inhabitants therein are likely to buy in.
Labels: Realities, Terrorism, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, October 02, 2007
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