Blood and More Blood Flowing in Afghanistan

While the U.S. is trying to claim some form of victory in Afghanistan before drawing down troops, it is a difficult argument to make. Not much has changed. The Taliban and other anti-government forces continue to use violence to scare the population and the current Karzai administration is increasingly implicated in corruption scandals. Recently Ahmad Wali Karzai, the President’s half brother and leader of the Southern province of Kandhar, was shot dead by one of his most trusted security guards. Ahmad Wali was a controversial leader as a result of many accusations that he was involved in drug-related corruption but he was a clear ally to President Hamid Karzai and to the U.S. and ISAF for providing intelligence on Taliban activities. His death and the resulting political vacuum will most likely ignite even more violence in Kandahar; however, there is also the hope that a less corrupt leader could arise. What is clear is that the security situation in Afghanistan is continuing to deteriorate. Not only are elected officials the target of violence, but also civilians. A recent report by the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reveals that the past 6 months have been among the bloodiest in the past five years with 1,462 civilian deaths and 2,144 civilian injuries reported. One of the main causes of death has been an increase in the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which are essentially the same as anti-personnel mines that explode indiscriminately when stepped on. While IEDs are mainly used by anti-government forces, the government has also been responsible for many civilian deaths as a result of airstrikes. For more information on civilian casualties in Afghanistan see the UNAMA July 2011 Report.

While I don’t believe the U.S. should be playing a military role in Afghanistan, I am also deeply concerned about what will happen when U.S. forces are pulled out. I think it is very likely that violence and chaos are going to escalate with the current Karzai government collapsing. I think the international community; the UN and NATO, should keep some military/peace-keeping forces in place to protect civilians especially in places like hospitals and schools which have also been targets of violence. I also think the U.S. and other countries should shift funds away from providing military support, towards providing development support in areas such as health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. My hope is that Afghanis will be able to pick themselves up, unite against the Taliban, and form a government that works for them.