Mar 12 2009
The Taliban Vs. Who?
The Taliban announced today that it can strike anywhere in the city of Kabul. This coming just a week after 8 Taliban suicide bombers entered a government building. The men were shot and killed before they could detonate any bombs. Twenty people died in the crossfire. The Taliban is making its move on the capital. Not only is this a power grab of more territory, but the extremist fighters are trying to say something - we are taking Afghanistan back. They already hold several territories, as well as areas in Pakistan.
There are 38,000 American troops in Afghanistan right now, but just like in Iraq, they are there primarily to support and train the country’s own forces. The police make around $200 a month, which doesn’t cover the expenses of living in Kabul and taking care of a family. In any nation where the police forces are under paid, corruption becomes a staple of the system. What is the solution? President Obama has turned American military attentions to Afghanistan, but it’s hard to say that its not too late. Sending 10, 20, even 50,000 more troops, would that actually tip the scales, or would it only exacerbate the problem? A well-paid, loyal local military, supported by a community with sustainable jobs as well would probably be capable of doing more than an infinite number of “foreign invaders”, standing around with guns wanting to go home. Nobody’s heart’s really into it. Well, except for the Taliban’s.
