Another Weak Case for Staying in Afghanistan
By Anthony Gregory • Thursday November 12, 2009 2:46 PM PDT • 4 Comments
Women’s rights were always a main argument behind invading and occupying Afghanistan. Now Malalai Joya, a female member of the Afghan Parliament, has called on Obama to withdraw:
Eight years ago, women’s rights were used as one of the excuses to start this war. But today, Afghanistan is still facing a women’s rights catastrophe. Life for most Afghan women resembles a type of hell that is never reflected in the Western mainstream media.
In 2001, the U.S. helped return to power the worst misogynist criminals, such as the Northern Alliance warlords and druglords. These men ought to be considered a photocopy of the Taliban. The only difference is that the Northern Alliance warlords wear suits and ties and cover their faces with the mask of democracy while they occupy government positions. But they are responsible for much of the disaster today in Afghanistan, thanks to the U.S. support they enjoy.
The U.S. and its allies are getting ready to offer power to the medieval Taliban by creating an imaginary category called the “moderate Taliban” and inviting them to join the government. A man who was near the top of the list of most-wanted terrorists eight years ago, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, has been invited to join the government.
Tags: Afghanistan, Civil Society, Corruption, Imperialism, Military, Personal Liberty, Politics, War 
I am not condoning the occupation of Afghanistan, but Malalai Joya’s call for withdrawal spark interest. How does she purport to hold these warlords and the Taliban at bay, without the (albeit inefficient) NATO’s firepower?
She is, of course right, but she could not make the claim that if the United States and the rest of NATO withdrew then it would give Afghanis a better chance to establish a real democracy.
The fact is that bringing some sort of similar system will require many, many years of struggle and strife. And, since it is not likely that any government would introduce some sort of economic liberalization then the people of Afghanistan will remain poor. The longer they remain poor, the longer the civil strife will last.
I agree that the United States should withdraw from Afghanistan. But, let’s not fool ourselves.
Jonathan Finegold Catalán | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
Code Pink, are you listening?
Michael Orlowski(The Orlonater/ChainedOrlo) | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
Johnathan, if the warlords are indeed allied to NATO forces, it may be easier to deal with them when they don’t have Western guns to back them up.
lukas | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
it’s hers, and other womens, fight. if they’re seen backed with outsiders guns they won’t get the respect the deserve. i don’t like muslims treatment of women, and we should fight it, but not through war.
winston smith | Nov 17, 2009 | Reply