The Evolving Situation in Afghanistan and Some Brass Tacks - Shrinivasrao S. Sohoni, Hardnews.
Intriguingly, the international community is not addressing itself to the core issues that are responsible for the situation in Afghanistan.
"How is the situation there?" is a question one is not infrequently asked about Afghanistan from outside. The situation being grim, the answer, "Quite serious" often works to close out talk on the subject. But sometimes, depending on the locus standii of the questioner, there are further queries, and then, time and mood being suitable, a discussion could ensue -- involving geopolitics, regional and super power aims and policies, international narcotics trade, Afghan domestic politics, Islam, more so: radical militant Islam, NATO military strategy, tactics and operations, and Taliban guerilla warfare and propaganda, et al.
The fact of the matter is: things are really quite serious, and getting worse each day - as seen from the viewpoint of someone interested in peace in Afghanistan, - not the icy peace of a morgue or a 'peace' enforced by the edge of the sword, but a meaningful peace engendering progress and human happiness.
Almost nine years since October 2001 when it expelled from Afghanistan the Taliban regime of Mullah Omer, the US, leading a 43 nation coalition, appears unable to suppress Al Qaeda or the Pakistan-based armed insurgency - funded by Saudis and the narcotics trade. Even as insurgency now actually has grown and menaces all of Afghanistan, more than ever, and is making inroads also into Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kirghizstan, public opinion in the countries forming the coalition is turning increasingly averse to continued military involvement in Afghanistan...
Much more at Hardnews.