One of the things you hear from supporters of involvement in the Afghanistan imbrioglio is how much the country's people NEED Canada. "Do you want the women to be re-enburqulated? The whosits to be oppressed! For shame!" they cry to those of us who suggest that maybe our involvement is counterproductive.
From the Bread and Roses discussion board, someone posts a link to Eric Margolis' column on Common Dreams, originally published in the Toronto Sun. Now, my American readers should know that the Toronto Sun belongs to a chain of virulently right-wing---and mostly trashy with their Sushine Girls near the front---tabloids that exists from coast to coast, including francophone Québec. Canada is united in its trashy culture, you see; it's the better parts that don't get along so well.
Nevertheless, they published the works of Margolis, a vitamin-supplement magnate who is also right wing on economic and social matters; but he usually makes wonderful sense on foreign policy issues pertaining to the Muslim world, since he's actually been there.
Anyway, the crucial component of his article for me is here:
U.S., British and Canadian politicians say they are surprised by intensifying Taliban resistance. They have only their own ignorance to blame.
Attacking Pashtuns, renowned for xenophobia, warlike spirits, and love of independence, is a fool’s mission. Pashtuns are Afghanistan’s ethnic majority; long-term national stability is impossible without their co-operation.
What the West calls “Taliban” is actually a growing coalition of veteran Taliban fighters led by Mullah Dadullah, other clans of Pashtun tribal warriors, and nationalist resistance forces under Jalalladin Hakkani and former prime minister Gulbadin Hekmatyar. Many are former mujahadeen once hailed as “freedom fighters” by the West, and branded “terrorists” by the Soviets.
The people who scold those of us who desire disengagement from this futile war have, at best, an extremely shallow view of the situation and its history. You cannot Save The Womenz if you do not have cooperation of The People there. And you do not. The Pashtun peoples---who extend well beyond the artificial (but perhaps necessary) border with Pakistan---cannot abide a government in Kabul dominated by people whom they view with mutual hostility. (Pakistan cannot either.) The Pashtuns cannot abide a government that makes holidays in honour of people they hate. You may want to Save The Womenz and Feed The Childrenz and Stop The Drugs, but you cannot. The priorities will be dictated, as they usually are, locally, and you can only make it worse.
Psst, Mandos: That wasn't just "someone" at BnR; that was Holly Stick.
As you know, I agree with you entirely. Refusing to recognize the reality on the ground seems to me one fast way to lose whatever kind of campaign one believes one is waging. The Globe and Mail is doing a similar number on President Musharraf this morning in the lead editorial, pretending that we don't know how complex his position is (or how complex his relationship with President Bush).
No, I don't have a solution, but I will never understand why people prefer to lie to themselves about the actual pickle.
Posted by: skdadl | September 18, 2006 at 11:34 AM