A Unfinished Job in Afghanistan

[sMiLeYz]

Let's hope we dont leave Iraq in the same mess ...

"I myself don't feel safe nowadays," Ahmad Takal, bureau chief of the U.S.-funded Radio Liberty in Afghanistan, tells Salon. Takal returned from exile in Pakistan in January 2002. "And it's getting worse. People ask, 'Why did they start and not finish the mission?'" He says that his fellow Afghans want more troops. "The U.S. military presence in Afghanistan is accepted widely by people," he says. "As I talk to people of different places in Afghanistan, people will support even hundred thousands of foreign or U.S. soldiers in their areas. They are tired from the war and warlords who fight everyday everywhere."

the article

 

[HappyGamer2]

the war is not over there yet, heck we lost 2 guys last week and were still dropping bombs, it's been like almost a year and half now. I wonder how long the war in Iraq will last, true most of the heavy fighting will be over in a few weeks, but there still maybe fighting for a long time

 

[prontospyder]

Isn't there an UN peacekeeping mission in there headed by Turkey?

 

[HappyGamer2]

we still have troops there, mainly looking for bin laden as I take it. unsure what's going there now, don't hear much since Iraq war started

 

[Armoth]

US Troops are still there and making progress. They have been collecting weapons and uncovering weapons caches all over the place. They are also still scouring the mountains.

Would a UN peacekeeping mission help? Unless US or British troops make up that peacekeeping force, the possible effectiveness is questionable at best.

 

[Looney]

How about all the other UN nations that aren't involved in the Iraq war do something more about Afghanistan? Maybe the French can actually be helpful.

 

[Alistar7]

They are getting ready to hold elections. They have rebuilt and reopened most of the schools, girls are now being educated again. Millions of new modern textbooks have been purchased or donated. Woman are being allowed to practice medicine so getting prenatal care is no longer an executable offense. They are slowly building a working government, but their situation was vastly different than Iraq. Afghanistan was devastated by war, reduced to third world status, and being controlled by a group of religous thugs.
Here is the Govs page on rebuilding, this doesnt include the many private and public companies and charites also contributing from the US.

Iraq has a mostly intact infrastructure, instant revenue capable of sustaining a prosperous economy, and a far better educated people. Basic civic and social services will be fairly easy to establish, considering these services were being provided and many of the mechanisms are still in place. I would not be suprised to see an Iraqi controlled government within 6 months and a stable economy by years end. The people of Iraq themselves, 60% under 26, have known no other type of life and seem eager to get to work building a better life for themselves. I think that will be the focus of the overwhelming majority of Iraqis. This is the perfect opportunity to build better relations there and elsewhere in the region by keeping our word and helping them to the end.