| Wednesday, March 22, 2006 |
| Meet the Afghans |
The apostasy death penalty case in Afghanistan is focusing unusual attention on that country, whose war has been largely forgotten by the American press. So now that we're paying attention, meet Afghanistan:
It's a narco-state. According to Foreign Policy in Focus, it is impossible to distinguish between the opium and non-opium segments of the economy, "because the multiplier effect from growth in the illicit economy has a direct impact on the growth rate of the licit economy. ... " As for the economy, Afghanistan's GDP in 2005 that was one sixth of that of its neighbors...
It's political system is weak. Again quoting FPIF: "Persistent insecurity, weak governance, and endemic corruption have engendered growing frustration among the Afghan people. ..." and "Although gains have undoubtedly been made in the area of reconstruction, major challenges still exist in extending the authority of the central government outside of Kabul, in maintaining high levels of economic growth to offset a continued reliance on the illicit economy, and in delivering basic services to the poor. "
It's ruled by a mix of civil and Sharia law which is why Abdul (or "Abdur") Rahman is facing death for converting to Christianity -- something illegal under that law, although being a Christian in the first place is not a crime. This is also a big problem for women in that country, who George and Laura touted as one of the group's the U.S. is proudest of "liberating," but who remain under the brutal thumb of religious fundamentalists...
The Taliban is coming back. They're still putting up a fierce armed resistence, though you wouldn't know it from the press coverage, and we're still no closer to finding Osama bin Laden, who is likely either still there, or just over the border in Pakistan.
It is almost totally dependent on foreign forces and finances which is where it gets interesting. The 20,000 or so troops guarding Hamid Karzai's government in Kabul and trying to keep the country from slipping back into Taliban rule serve at the pleasure of NATO. If Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, U.S., Spain, Italy and the other NATO powers wanted to really hold Karzai's feet to the fire, they certainly could. In sharp contrast to Iraq, a majority of Afghans want foreign troops to be in the country, and in the main, support the international mission there.
Tags: Afghanistan |
posted by JReid @ 4:48 PM   |
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