Afghanistan: Mirage of the Good War

Even on the left, many people consider the war in Afghanistan to be an acceptable war (espeically when compared to Iraq). Both Democrats and Republicans are talking about how the US needs to fight the "real war on terror" in Afghanistan. Why? Why must we be in Afghanistan? Because of 9/11? Because of the Taliban?

First of all, the 9/11 attackers were mostly from Saudi Arabia (a U.S. ally). The occupation of Afghanistan has killed well over the 2,746 who died in Manhattan. Also, we are not even attacking the people who were responsible for the attacks in the first place. The problem with military intervention is that the major losses are on the part of the civilians who have no economic or political influence.

While I, and most Afghans, can agree that the Taliban was harsh and oppressive, what do the Afghans think about the US occupation? Is it worse or better from their point of view? I think it's quite clear that the Afghan civilians are much worse off under US oppression than under Taliban reign, which is why many of them are turning to the Taliban for the first time. Comparatively, they are better off under a Taliban regime that has turned down it's religious requirements than they are under US occupation that kills indiscriminately.

We have to see the connections between the occupation of Afghanistan and the occupation of Iraq. The overarching goal of U.S. modern day imperialism and hegemony across the world is that connection and we need to recognize this if we are to put an end to the suffering. We have to ask ourselves if our intervention is what is best for the Afghan people, or the promotion of U.S. domination.

The solution for Afghanistan is political, not military, intervention.

http://www.newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2713