Out Now

Out Now

That President al-Maliki, known for his timidity, would attempt to go where angels, such as the British army, fears to tread, is an unnecessary pointer to who was really calling the shots. The Brits, not prepared to lose another soul in Iraq, stayed at the Basra airport watching, listening and waiting until they can exit. They might go to Afghanistan where they will fight a “better" war but one where the outcome, defeat, seems apparent. Here the great tragedy is again, Bush. Had he…well let's not go there. However such is the nature of invasion and such were the tactics of the predominately American forces in the NATO army that the citizenry prefers the appalling murderous thugs, the Taliban to us.

The problem is that with war comes chaos, especially the way the US conducts its affrays and inevitably that creates fear and hostility which is directed at the invader. No matter how much the people dislike the Taliban they associate the terrors of war with the invading force. You and I, dear reader, would do the same. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The weight of history leans heavily across the shoulders of our armies as well. The British cemeteries in Kabul and Herat constant reminders of wars long lost.

But with war comes lawlessness and the inability of common folks to go about their business – unless it is the business of opium which by nature thrives in such circumstances. Otherwise the average Afghani, no slouch as a businessman, is liable to theft and murder at any moment and while the women may walk the streets in Burkas only under the Taliban, and in the company of a husband or close male relative, at least they can walk the street. It is an entirely unsatisfactory situation by we cannot impose the solution. In fact we have made the Taliban possible then failed to clean up the mess when Bush raced off to attack Iraq. The people of Afghanistan are left in this terrible impasse but our occupation just lengthens and deepens their distress.