This just in: I'm in Afghanistan

[False_God]

Yes, folks, this message is coming to you good people courtesy of U.S. supplied electrons via a trailer in Kabul. I've been here nearly three weeks so far and today the internet was introduced into my trailer. It's a good thing.

Although I don't post much, I know there are some people who have been following my story and would like to know more about what I'm doing here and what I think of the place. Within reason, I'll answer questions, but my days are busy and there's some things I just can't disclose.

I can tell you that I'm a U.S. Foreign Service officer working in the Embassy, and that I handle human rights and religious freedom issues. It's a hard job but someone has to do it.

Any questions about Afghanistan or the Foreign Service, post away!

[Qadgop the Mercotan]

Any questions about Afghanistan or the Foreign Service, post away!
Yeah. How we doin' in the war we should have focused on rather than getting into Iraq, 'cuz the war in Afghanistan is the one that really matters?

Oh, and good luck and be safe!!

[WordMan]

Wow - here is wishing you success in your mission and safety overall. Thank you for serving.

Is there a generally-accepted sense of how things are going in Afghanistan? A prevailing point of view that is either agreed with or rejected, but is the dominant POV? If so, what is it - generally good or bad?

What is America's reputation among the folks you find yourself dealing with regularly?

[GingerOfTheNorth]

Be safe! Visit the Tim Horton's!

[pool]

How much do you get to interact with the civilian population over there?

[False_God]

Qadgop, we're doin' okay. Lots of troops but the ones I've met have been smart guys and they have some good ideas. It's tough, though, these people have been through 30 years of civil war. There's hope.

Ginger there's a Timmy's? I have to hit up the Canuck troops.

WordMan most of the young people are optimistic, most of the middle aged people are not. Kids have it really tough here, especially if they're mixed Russian. I'd say generally good but I prefer to look on the bright side of things. Lots of work, and it's going to be hard. We'll get there. Most people I meet like Americans because I listen to them and they know if we like them they get lots of money.
pool not as much as I'd like but I don't speak Dari that well. I get out a fair bit, and it's improving.

Keep the questions coming, although I can't say how soon I'll be able to post replies. I've been pulling 11 hour days since I got here and I'm starting to feel it.

[3acresandatruck]

Why are you posting from a trailer? Is it your office? Is it where computers are located for staff use or something like that?

What do you DO there (obviously, within the bounds of what you're allowed to say)? You said you handle human rights and religious freedom issues, but what are those issues and how do you handle them? What kind of working conditions have you/do you expect to encounter?

How do you spend your off-hours? Where and what do you eat? Where do you sleep? How do you get mail?

Ok, I'll stop now...

[Moirai]

Do you ever get out? When my brother was there (Firebase Gecko, former palace and compound of Mullah Omar), he did some shopping and brought back some beautiful carpets.

Are you enjoying the local food?

[dangermom]

What do you think of RAWA?

[Shirley Ujest]

Do you think you could slip a note under the nose of the Big Cheif Hoo-Ha for the American/Canadian/Good guys side to see if they could step things up a notch to bring down two of the most wanted terrorists ( Muqtada al-Sadr ( 1973) Iraqi Cleri and .Abu Ayyub al-Masri (1967) Al Queda Hoo-Ha.) and of course, Osama Bin Laden who is probably with Walt Disney as we speak.

I could really use the Dead Pool Points.


kthxbye.










Stay safe. Post often. Floss twice a day!

[GingerOfTheNorth]

Ya damned right there's a Timmy's. Kandahar, I think. IIRC, it's in a semi-trailer.

[Tripler]

I'd heard fabled tales of the Tim Horton's in Kabul/Kandahar. I was ol' "Soviet Pike" in Bagram from Dec '05 - Jun '06 and absolutely loved it. It was good work with beautiful scenery there. . .

Anyway, have fun, and be safe. Stay on paved roads and known walkways--as I understand it there's ten landmines for every man, woman, child and goat in the place.

Tripler
I'd say "Have a blast!" but I don't want you taking it literally.

[E-Sabbath]

There is a book, I misremember the title, though I read the book, of a man who walked through Afghanistan, as the war started.

Have you read it? He said a lot of good things about Doctors without Borders, and a lot of 'it'll never change' about the rest.

[Euryphaessa]

Best of luck with everything, and stay safe!

P.S. How's the weather?

[Shirley Ujest]

There is a book, I misremember the title, though I read the book, of a man who walked through Afghanistan, as the war started.

Have you read it? He said a lot of good things about Doctors without Borders, and a lot of 'it'll never change' about the rest.


Is it....

The Places In Between (http://www.amazon.com/Places-Between-Rory-Stewart/dp/0156031566/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3435231-5637501?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191235384&sr=8-1)

[Zebra]

I can tell you that I'm a U.S. Foreign Service officer working in the Embassy, and that I handle human rights and religious freedom issues. It's a hard job but someone has to do it.

Any questions about Afghanistan or the Foreign Service, post away!


The combination of your job and your user name makes me smile.

A friend of mine has done two tours with the 82nd Airborne over there. He found the place amazing and often wrote how beautiful it was. Will you be making any 'field trips' or staying mostly in Kabul?


Oh and Good luck.

[Anaamika]

Do you see any of the women? I have been following the plight of the women in Afghanistan as closely as I can. It seems to me that we offered them education, modernity, jobs, and a future, only to snatch it away as quickly and run. It breaks my heart when I read some of the stories out of there about women behind the veil. How is life for the women these days? Are there still any of the women-only schools open? Have they been driven back into the burkha?

Good luck, and stay safe.

[missbunny]

Being that you are actually there, can you tell us what really happens when you say "Afghanistan Bananistan"?

[E-Sabbath]

Yes, The Places In Between. Very powerful.

[False_God]

Yep, I've read The Places in Between. Now that I've been here a little while I appreciate how hard it was to build schools in the mountains. Beautiful country with very proud people, beautiful women and crushingly hard lives. As an example, in the recent suicide bombing we had here, I had just been down that street a few days before. It's a residential neighborhood. It went off outside a movie theater and not far from a high school.

Food is provided cafeteria-style and is okay, at least there's a salad bar with fresh veg and sandwich bar. The Afghan food I've had I 've loved. Military folks here get more American-style fast food, which is a nice change. People at the Embassy go to a base with a barbecue every sp often, the military tries to get over to us more. It's amusing. Mail is Army Post Office or diplomatic pouch. My Netflix works here, I buy off Amazon. It's not like I'm in a tent waiting for my Red Cross parcel. We have AFN and movie channels and cartoons. I have blessed internet in my trailer, so life is realtively good.

Okay, ten hours at the office and four at a reception mean I have to clock out now. More later.

The weather is pleasant but a bit cold at night and in the morning. Winter is coming soon.

I try to get out as much as I can and be safe, which is hard as I like walking around and talking to people and finding out what's going on. That's hard but manageable here.

The women I've spoken to have been very proud, I'm glad I don't have to do women's issues here as it's just so hard for a Western man to speak to regular women. More girls are going to school and there was even a Reuters piece today about a fashion show in the north that I found amusing.

What I do is that I talk to people, find out what's going on, and then send that back in various forms to my government. Based on what I tell them they make decisions about where money gets spent and what is important. Sometimes it reminds me of the children's party game Telephone, where a line of kids pass a message. Often, what comes out at the end bears no resemblance to what it started out as, but if people have fun it's usually a good time. I like to say I point to things and say "This is a problem" or "this works well."

Human rights are easy. We're for them, and we'd like the locals to understand what they are and incorporate them in what Afghanistan does for the next century. Religious freedom -- we're also for that, and now we have to show Afghanistan, one of the most fiercly Muslim, tribal, traditional, spawned the Taliban ya might have heard of them that it's okay to worship in a different way and wear something else and read different books. I'd be happy if everyone could read.

[Lust4Life]

Yes, folks, this message is coming to you good people courtesy of U.S. supplied electrons via a trailer in Kabul. I've been here nearly three weeks so far and today the internet was introduced into my trailer. It's a good thing.

Although I don't post much, I know there are some people who have been following my story and would like to know more about what I'm doing here and what I think of the place. Within reason, I'll answer questions, but my days are busy and there's some things I just can't disclose.

I can tell you that I'm a U.S. Foreign Service officer working in the Embassy, and that I handle human rights and religious freedom issues. It's a hard job but someone has to do it.

Any questions about Afghanistan or the Foreign Service, post away!

Whats your perspective on whats happening to the Brits in Hellman ?

[Lust4Life]

Whats your perspective on whats happening to the Brits in Hellman ?

Sorry I wasnt being very clear there .
Whats your perspective on the every day number of British body bags going home to England ?
Does it interfere with your pleasure at getting American fast food at the embassy or what ever?
I'm a Brit and Im proud that our guys are doing their bit out there but your telling me what you eat!
Thats why you guys lost Vietnam and we won Malaya

With conscript troops.

[Omniscient]

One question, have you and Fitzhume made it to the road to Dushanbe?

[False_God]

Omni, not so far. I have been able to get out a little for work, and I will admit I'm rereading the Flashman books and saying "oh yeah, this is what he was talking about." I'd quite like to see the site of Piper's Fort if I can.

Lust4Life, if I haven't made myself clear I'm sorry. I'm not military but I work alongside them. We all have tough jobs here, but they have to decide to use deadly force and be a walking target and get paid far less than I do.

I think what's happening to the Brits in Helmand province is atrocious. I think the 15 year old kid that got hung from a tree after being beaten to death there yesterday is also atrocious. (Apparently the insurgents were pissed he had an American 5 dollar bill in his pocket, so therefore must have been helping the Americans.)

I don't want anyone to go home in a body bag, and I'm doing what I can to minimize that. I understand why you're upset, so am I.

I merely thought people might find what I'm doing interesting and, quite frankly, I need to share a bit. I had intended to keep this as factual and upbeat as I can, if that's not possible, then I'll request the Mods close this thread.

[Anaamika]

Sorry I wasnt being very clear there .
Whats your perspective on the every day number of British body bags going home to England ?
Does it interfere with your pleasure at getting American fast food at the embassy or what ever?
I'm a Brit and Im proud that our guys are doing their bit out there but your telling me what you eat!
Thats why you guys lost Vietnam and we won Malaya

With conscript troops.
This really isn't very nice, you know. Start a Pit thread if you are so mad. He was asked directly what he ate.

How do you spend your off-hours? Where and what do you eat? Where do you sleep? How do you get mail?

False God, please don't listen to people like him. I think this thread is pretty interesting, and thank you for answering.

[Elendil's Heir]

I'm also glad you started this thread.

* What do you usually wear? Bulletproof jacket?

* Have you made any genuine friendships with Afghans?

* What's the funniest Afghan joke you've ever heard?

* What's your funniest story about your work there?

* What gives you the most hope for the future there?

* What do you think of President Hamid Karzai?

* Is the Afghan government corruption pretty bad?

* How far out of Kabul are you able to get in your work?

* What are your thoughts on the poppy/heroin situation?

* Any tensions between the Dept. of State and DoD civilians?

* Do you usually go around armed, or with a guard(s)?

* Had any dealings with Blackwater or other private security companies?

* Any relics of the Soviet occupation around?

* Did you know that Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes's future companion, was wounded in Afghanistan while serving in Her Majesty's Army?

* Did you read The Kite Runner, and if so, what did you think?

Thank you for your service to our country, and here's hoping that all you do will end up helping the Afghan people, too. God knows they've gotten pretty badly knocked around by history.

Stay safe and be well.

[Kythereia]

I've really got nothing that hasn't been asked here, I just wanted to wish you the best of luck. Be safe! *sends good karma*

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Much good luck.
Much wear your Kevlar™.

Be well.
Come home safe.

[3acresandatruck]

Does it interfere with your pleasure at getting American fast food at the embassy or what ever?
I'm a Brit and Im proud that our guys are doing their bit out there but your telling me what you eat!
I asked specifically about food and such, so perhaps you should direct your ire towards me. Yes, terrible things are happening throughout the world, but in this thread I was more interested in False_God's experiences in a distant part of the world. I appreciate this thread and thank False_God for answering my pointless questions.

[DMark]

Which are the best Gay bars in Kabul?

Just kidding - I always ask when someone lives in some remote area...

Quite seriously, WAY back when, before the Russians decided to visit, Afghanistan was always a place I wanted to visit. I met a guy at work in Berlin from Kabul and he told me wonderful stories about places to visit when I go there. He made it sound like a country full of artists and musicians, with quaint coffee houses where you could listen to great music and go to local restaurants and eat nice, hot, spicy foods. I so regret not going with him when he went home for a few weeks and invited me to go along.

So I guess my question is, do those cafes still exist, and how is the local food these days?

[False_God]

I'm also glad you started this thread.

* What do you usually wear? Bulletproof jacket?
-- An Arrow dress shirt, tie if I have to, black Dockers.

* Have you made any genuine friendships with Afghans?
-- I think so but it's hard to tell. So much conflict has made them wary of trusting anyone, let alone Americans.

* What's the funniest Afghan joke you've ever heard?
-- A man walks into a bar. The Taliban said the bar is against Islam and beat him with it. That's the joke.

* What's your funniest story about your work there?
-- That I show up every day even though I know what I must do.

* What gives you the most hope for the future there?
-- The people. They're resilient and survivors.

* What do you think of President Hamid Karzai?
-- Good man absolutely f*cked by circumstances.

* Is the Afghan government corruption pretty bad?
-- Yes.

* How far out of Kabul are you able to get in your work?
-- Not at all so far.

* What are your thoughts on the poppy/heroin situation?
-- I wish they would plant California poppies instead.

* Any tensions between the Dept. of State and DoD civilians?
-- I get along with most folks. Tense assholes don't last long here. Grace is the key.

* Do you usually go around armed, or with a guard(s)?
--I wield a mean fountain pen.

* Had any dealings with Blackwater or other private security companies?
--Yep.

* Any relics of the Soviet occupation around?
--Lots of blond children with Slavic features, some weapons and Zil taxis.

* Did you know that Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes's future companion, was wounded in Afghanistan while serving in Her Majesty's Army?
--Yep, and he used the same model revolver I saw a terrible copy of the other day in the market.

* Did you read The Kite Runner, and if so, what did you think?
I haven't read the Kite Runner but I can see why they chose that as a theme. Kites are everywhere, and I love to see them. They're symbols of freedom and hope.

*Thank you for your service to our country, and here's hoping that all you do will end up helping the Afghan people, too. God knows they've gotten pretty badly knocked around by history.

--Much obliged.

[Elendil's Heir]

Thanks for your answers. You're too $^%*& concise, though! Please tell us (a lot) more about Afghan corruption, and your dealings with Blackwater or other private security companies. And anything else you want to talk about. Thanks again!

[False_God]

Thanks for your answers. You're too $^%*& concise, though! Please tell us (a lot) more about Afghan corruption, and your dealings with Blackwater or other private security companies. And anything else you want to talk about. Thanks again!

Better writers than I have done volumes on Afghan corruption, I recognize my limitations. Corruption suffuses everything that goes on here, it goes beyond propinas in Latin America and baksheesh in the Arab world. This is baksheesh with bells on, a plethora of propinas. Here's one example: Diplomatic cars have CD (corps diplomatique) plates. Some diplomatic cars were getting stopped and the drivers shaken down for not carrying regular plates as well. So they got them regular plates, which in Kabul no-one has. Then the drivers, of diolomatic cars, mind you, started getting arrested and fined because the regular plates were fakes, or at least the police said they were.

I'd rather not talk about private security firms. Read David Drake's Hammers Slammers series if you'd like an idea, it at least is humourous in spots.

[False_God]

Which are the best Gay bars in Kabul?

Just kidding - I always ask when someone lives in some remote area...

Quite seriously, WAY back when, before the Russians decided to visit, Afghanistan was always a place I wanted to visit. I met a guy at work in Berlin from Kabul and he told me wonderful stories about places to visit when I go there. He made it sound like a country full of artists and musicians, with quaint coffee houses where you could listen to great music and go to local restaurants and eat nice, hot, spicy foods. I so regret not going with him when he went home for a few weeks and invited me to go along.

So I guess my question is, do those cafes still exist, and how is the local food these days?

Cafes and restaurants still exist, there are still coffee houses and there are even internet cafes. Artists and musicians abound, but the food is spiced rather than spicy. I've seen some chiles, though. The food I've had in private houses has been wonderful, and the local music okay.

[Gregor Samsa]

What do the American troops think of the job Canadians are doing over there? Is the Canadian military well respected or not so much?

[False_God]

What do the American troops think of the job Canadians are doing over there? Is the Canadian military well respected or not so much?
The Canadians are very well respected by the other Coalition forces. Most everyone gets along, which is rare in a joint command, combined forces environment. I have a good friend in the Canadian military who I met here.

[Cemetery Savior]

False_God Believe it or not, I'm a little jealous. I was Peace Corps in Mauritania for 27 months, and took the FSE when I came back to Champaign, IL. I must not have done well enough. Did I have to take that in three different languages? I forget. I seem to remember taking it in English, French and Arabic.


Did I remember the FSE correctly? It's been a *cough* few years.
Do you have Diplomatic Immunity?
Are you attached to an Embassy, or do we even have one in Afghanistan (I apologize for my ignorance)?
Is you job more one of planning, or one of execution? Meaning, are you a big-picture guy, or an operations type?


Thanks for opening this thread!

-Cem

[False_God]

False_God Believe it or not, I'm a little jealous. I was Peace Corps in Mauritania for 27 months, and took the FSE when I came back to Champaign, IL. I must not have done well enough. Did I have to take that in three different languages? I forget. I seem to remember taking it in English, French and Arabic.


Did I remember the FSE correctly? It's been a *cough* few years.
Do you have Diplomatic Immunity?
Are you attached to an Embassy, or do we even have one in Afghanistan (I apologize for my ignorance)?
Is you job more one of planning, or one of execution? Meaning, are you a big-picture guy, or an operations type?


Thanks for opening this thread!

-Cem

--Foreign Service Exam has changed immensely over the years. You take it on a computer now. I did a thread about it a few months back, do a search on my username and it should come up.
--I have Diplomatic Immunity and hope tp Ghod I never have to use it.
--We have an extremely large Embassy and Mission to Afghanistan. We're committed to working here for a long time.
--Planning and execution both. I'm really lucky in that I can say "wouldn't it be neat if..." and then turn around and get funding. Mostly I stay in policy and reporting, but do a few projects as well.

[Lust4Life]

Omni, not so far. I have been able to get out a little for work, and I will admit I'm rereading the Flashman books and saying "oh yeah, this is what he was talking about." I'd quite like to see the site of Piper's Fort if I can.

Lust4Life, if I haven't made myself clear I'm sorry. I'm not military but I work alongside them. We all have tough jobs here, but they have to decide to use deadly force and be a walking target and get paid far less than I do.

I think what's happening to the Brits in Helmand province is atrocious. I think the 15 year old kid that got hung from a tree after being beaten to death there yesterday is also atrocious. (Apparently the insurgents were pissed he had an American 5 dollar bill in his pocket, so therefore must have been helping the Americans.)

I don't want anyone to go home in a body bag, and I'm doing what I can to minimize that. I understand why you're upset, so am I.

I merely thought people might find what I'm doing interesting and, quite frankly, I need to share a bit. I had intended to keep this as factual and upbeat as I can, if that's not possible, then I'll request the Mods close this thread.


Sorry mate ,I kicked off there,its just Iread your post after watching flag draped come home .
Its not your fault and I apologise .

[False_God]

Sorry mate ,I kicked off there,its just Iread your post after watching flag draped come home .
Its not your fault and I apologise .

No worries, mate. I don't like the casualties any more than you do. We lost two of ours the other day and I had to write the letter for one of them.

Thanks to everyone who has responded to this thread and posted questions, we lost satellite internet for like a week and the Dope is blocked in my office, but I'm back now and will try to answer questions.

[b[dangermom[/b] I assume by RAWA you're referring to the role of women in Afghanistan, at least that's what we use the acronym to refer to. Women have it really tough here to say the least but it is getting better. I met a guy the other day who is a booster for a girls'soccer team. They play in burqas and they're harrassed for playing a man's game but he's building a program. That would never have existed under Taliban rule; the girls and their coach would have been stoned.

[False_God]

I'd heard fabled tales of the Tim Horton's in Kabul/Kandahar. I was ol' "Soviet Pike" in Bagram from Dec '05 - Jun '06 and absolutely loved it. It was good work with beautiful scenery there. . .

Anyway, have fun, and be safe. Stay on paved roads and known walkways--as I understand it there's ten landmines for every man, woman, child and goat in the place.

Tripler
I'd say "Have a blast!" but I don't want you taking it literally.

Trip, don't worry, as a former EOD officer I know what I'm doing. I don't even step off the concrete in the compound. Been in 300 minefields so far and I'm still walking. No reason to break that record.

[Evil Captor]

False God, here's another hope that you hang in there and stay safe.

I have read in the media that large areas of Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan are totally controlled by a resurgent Taliban, and that the only way any coalition people can get around there is "in force" and a pretty large force at that. Is that true in your experience? Are some areas of Afghanistan pretty much off the map for the coalition and their Afghan allies?

[False_God]

False God, here's another hope that you hang in there and stay safe.

I have read in the media that large areas of Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan are totally controlled by a resurgent Taliban, and that the only way any coalition people can get around there is "in force" and a pretty large force at that. Is that true in your experience? Are some areas of Afghanistan pretty much off the map for the coalition and their Afghan allies?

Yes, this is true. I cover a large portion of the Durand line and it's Wild West out there. Interestingly, there are a lot of parallels with the American West after expansion.