Two events in Afghanistan yesterday did enormous damage to the plan to create both a civilian government and an effective army to allow this little country to stand on it's own two feet once allied forces withdraw.
A soldier in the Afghan National Army ( ANA ) which Australian troops are training suddenly snapped and used his weapon to fire on those mentoring, killing three Australians and severely wounding seven. Returned fire killed him instantly.
A car bomber drove his vehicle into the middle of an army convoy and detonated a bomb which killed seventeen people. Thirteen of these were American soldiers and the others were police and Afghan civilians. It was the worst level of casualties in the entire Afghan war so far.
The job of training other soldiers requires a high degree of trust. When it comes to field operations - and these follow the end of the training regime - the lives of both are in each others hands. The thought that there may be an enemy infiltrator aiming a rifle at your back would be an unnerving thought.
It is inevitable that each ANA recruit will be carefully watched - and body language carefully evaluated. Unfortunately, such doubts can never result in an integration force with the fighting spirit we admire in our own army.
The divisive force - is religion ! While ever people believe that throwing away their lives as warriors in a holy war will result in instant entry to Paradise, this reward will seem paramount to those who live depressed lives in a poor country with little to offer in the way of future advancement.
It doesn't help that what is being offered - a democratic right to choose the government - the right of women to get an education - decent roads and communications - is something beyond both their knowledge and experience. It is also anathema to the leaders of the Taliban - who claim their allegiance.
There have been many errors in both the planning and the conduct of this war and soon the forces that entered the country with high hope will return home. What then emerges as the new Afghanistan is anybody's guess. The most likely scenario is civil war.
The main hope for an Afghan future comes from the children who have had an education and will now grow up with more enlightened minds. If nothing else, that has been a benefit for this benighted country !
No comments:
Post a Comment