War in Afganistan

I just showed two excellent pieces from Frontline about the war in Afghanistan. Obama's War shows how the Taliban both in Afghanistan and Pakistan have a great deal of public support. In Pakistan the security services actually support the Taliban. Yet many of the people from the countryside appear just to want to be left alone. Many of the spokespeople for the military talk about building connections with the people. But the then I see the military with their guns and uniforms trying to communicate with the poor of the country, and getting angry when the people do not understand. They are worlds apart and standing next to each other. None of the Americans speak Afghan. They have weapons and a translator. It appears to be a futile exercise.

Two American opinions emerged from the show. Some in Washington and in the military believe that the United States can actually defeat the Taliban and have a Western style democracy that has the support of the people. Another view states that if the majority of Afghans want the Taliban in power, they should be allowed to have it. But this radical form of Islam suppresses a woman's education and a woman's rights. Their fundamentalism seeks to destroy anything culturally valuable that they deem conflicts with Islam. Witness the destruction of the giant and ancient Buddhist statue in 1999.

The other film, Behind the Taliban Lines, shows the war from the Taliban side. They look pretty much like the Afghan people, speak the language and treat the people in villages with respect. As fighters they are committed, even if their goals are radically opposed to the way I see the world. As technicians and organizers they appear bumbling with lots of infighting. I strongly recommend both of these films and they can be watched on line.