The Obama administration has outlined a three-pronged strategy in Afghanistan, focusing on security, governance and economic development. But the implementation of those elements has been woefully lopsided. Since 2002, 93% of the $170 billion the United States has committed to Afghanistan has gone to military operations. As the country prepares to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, we also need to focus on providing a surge in the quality of life for the Afghan people. U.S. Agency for International Development workers are tremendously dedicated, but there are not nearly enough of them, which means the agency is heavily dependent on private contractors. There have been some commendable achievements, such as helping reduce Afghanistan's infant mortality rate and rehabilitating nearly 1,000 miles of roads. Still, as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lamented in March, the lack of results for the Afghan people is "heartbreaking."
The Obama administration has pledged a new, improved approach to development aid. Yet USAID has been without an administrator for 10 months, and the president's nominee, Rajiv Shah, has yet to be confirmed. It's now time, with the president's commitment in his West Point speech to "focus our assistance in areas, such as agriculture, that can make an immediate impact in the lives of the Afghan people," to heed the experience of successful social entrepreneurs who, with far fewer resources at their disposal, have achieved impressive progress on the ground...
More at The Los Angeles Times.
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In light of the ongoing…
In light of the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, it is important to remember that any strategy for the country's future should not only focus on military and political solutions, but also on improving the quality of life for its citizens. Addressing issues such as poverty, access to education, and healthcare can have a significant impact on the country's stability and future prospects. It is also important to recognize the resilience and strength of the Afghan people in the face of adversity. If you want to be inspirational in real life stories you can visit https://www.discoverybit.com/2248/3-in-real-life-stories-that-define-inspiration/ that offer a glimpse into the lives of three such individuals whose stories are truly inspirational.
Oldpapajoe,
"First; ask, dont tell: US programs must be tailored to local needs, not our own"
You would say we are violating this because Afghans are fundamentally averse to "women's rights," however then we see:
* Greg Mortenson's success with girl's schools
* MAJ Gant's picture of girl's in school
* Recent survey results here that indicate support for women's education everywhere except the southwest (Farah, Helmand?)
Isn't it possible that many could be convinced that educating everyone would benefit both the country and their qawm and family?
And wouldn't Afghans understand that we DO want something in exchange? In this case it would be a terrorist-free zone. But perhaps we also push for Afghans to support/protect a "new silk road" as CSIS was recently pushing. Get the Chinese to contribute to road and pipeline development and the electrical grid as they claim they will. In exchange, China could finance more of the ANA's costs if they won't contribute forces.
"Second, invest capital outside the capital, and devise and direct those projects from the field?
Sounds like the need for community-development instead of nation-building. But did you see the 8 contractors killed today in Khost province when unprotected by the military at FOB Chapman? Contractors and Afghan government employees need safe zones, adjacent to military forces in order to survive in the field to "devise and direct projects."
"Third, make sure that US assistance reaches the Afghan people"
Another reason to get contractors and coalition government civilians out in the field where they can distribute, serve, and supervise.
Why is clear-hold-build sequential instead of simultaneous? Why wait to build? Sometimes we could hold and build while simultaneously clearing through prolonged presence to find and drive out hidden Taliban. Clear and Hold both may require early COPs for sustained presence. Don't understand why "build" contractors/civilians cannot cohabitate with Soldiers and ANA/ANP in the same COPs from the get go?
"Fourth, make women the focus, not the footnote"
Maybe a bit much, but oldpapajoe, you admit yourself that women may have far greater influence behind the scenes than exhibited in public. Why can't we exploit that? Recall reading not long ago that Afghan women were pushing cell phone envy onto their husbands. Could they similarly be convinced that electricity and appliance are good? Could they become news conduits?
"Finally, approach development as an evolution, not a revolution"
Tough to do with only 18 months to turn things around. If we had thrown half the money we did at Iraq at Afghanistan, we would not be in the current situation.
Read the article today about what China is claiming they will do to get their copper mine running. Is that evolution? Something must divert Afghan dependence on pure agricultural pursuits or they will never evolve beyond family and local fights over land and water rights.
Believe Afghans are smart enough to understand that a stable Afghanistan is one that can be more self-sufficient with more internal jobs and less reliance on imports. We can assist the start of businesses by buying more crops and goods directly from Afghans.
Here we go again, imposing Western secular values onto the culture of Afghanistan while proclaiming that we must listen to what the Afghan people want. Focusing on women as part of the assistance package is a non-starter. Women (other than in the relative wealth of urban centers) are seen as property; they don't own anything or run anything--at least not in public and not in Islamic law. Men don't take orders from women in public (what goes on in a home is another topic all together), and the very idea of educating girls to be equals to men is, well, not going to play well. It is an affront to the nature of Afghan men and women. Keep the "I am woman hear me roar" for the US and Europe. Let's focus on getting conditions to a level where we can leave Afghanistan so that they won't harbor or assist in Islamic terrorism against us.