Hi All,
I would normally not involve myself in a topic like this. However, this thread caught my eye as I served a few tours in Afghanistan. I am genuinely dismayed by what I see and hear on the news and am disturbed by the views many people hold in relation to Afghanistan, the Afghani peoples and those that served there.
My view is based on personal experience and is not tainted by conspiracy throries or political bent. Although, like everyone. I have personal biases.
In the main I believe that the Afghani peoples were greatful for the support they were given. However; Afghans are a collection of interesting peoples that are very focussed on their family unit as opposed to the nation. It is a society where truth is whatever helps the family unit; where homosexuality is frowned upon but molesting the tea boy is OK, where an eye for an eye is acceptable and a blood feud can go on for generations. Yet we are wanting this society converted into a homogenous democracy operating to western norms in the blink of an eyelid.
Afghan society isn't based on nationalistice fervor and the generation of change requred to develop a nationalistic spirit has only been given a taste of what the future could hold. Those that really want change simply aren't in a position to make that change happen.
Real change can't happen in 20 years; change takes at least two generations - one to realise change and one to make it happen. Western society (governments) is too focussed on what gets them another three or four year term as opposed to making real change. It is not something that can be acheived in a three to four year term, even a few of them. You require a long term commitment - similar to the commitment that China has to achieving its goals (for good or bad).
If there isn't a desire to make a real change then politicians simply should not go there. They should achieve whatever national interest needs to be protected, without gloves, and live with the good press and the bad. They should not cover it with bullshit about making a difference, or setting the conditions for regional change. If the juice isn't worth the squeeze, just don't do it. I am saddened that we lost so many to see a re-run of Vietnam. One can now only hope that the reprisals are swift and a moderate Taliban Government rules. The opportunity to nurture change has has bolted.
For those that are calling it a military faiilure. If you haven't been there you don't know. If you have you must have seen something different to me. The military had several missions: defeat the Taliban, set the conditions for the establishment of an Afghan Government and Train and Equip the Afghan National Army (ANA). Taliban defeated, check (albeit not destroyed), Interim Governmant Installed, check, democratic elections held, tick, ANA raised and trained, mmm? That last one is debatable. Was the ANA trained - tick, equipped, tick, effective tick. Was the Afghan Government capable of supporting the ANA. No. Was the ANA leadership supportive of Afghanistan as a nation? You would have to say no. Were the Afghan peoples bought into "Afghanistan as a society"? No.
So what about those jumping up and down at home? The majority are sheep and believe what is reported instead of reaching for the truth. Unfortunately journalists only report what feeds their egos, what sells, or what they are paid to report. Not what we need to know in an unbiased manner. For example - if a coalition operation results in collateral damage to a mosque it is reported with outlandish headlines in the US, UK, Australia and NZ. The media calls for heads to roll and there are protests in the streets. However, if a Saudi Jet deliberately bombs a Mosque in Yemen housing women and children trying to excape the conflict the facts are reported in a story that is buried at the bottom of world news. Why isn't the public outraged about that? Why aren't we all outraged at the events unfolding in West Papua, Myanmar or China. Aren't they just as horrific as what has and is happening in Afghanistan?
In short - the outcome in Afghanistan is horrendous, the hope given to many has been taken away. It is not a failing of the Military or a Deep State conspiracy (if it was a deep state issue they wouldn't let the cash cow crumble). The blame lies at the feet of two parties: the policicians who are not prepared to follow through after making a "commitment" to the region and the Afghan people who are not prepared to stand up for a nation they don't believe in. They are clearly ambivalent about the Taliban and turmoil happening around them otherwise, as a tribe, they would have done something about it - as the Kurds did against ISIS. They now have a seat at Iraqi table.
