How is Afghanistan?

Great Debates
1

Since most Western forces have withdrawn, and we’ve built up an army and government, how is Afghanistan faring?

[ul]
[li]Is the Afghan Army sufficiently trained enough to hold its own territory?[/li]
[li]Is the Afghan government stable enough to function effectively?[/li]
[li]How about the Afghan economy? Is it booming? Is it providing a future to its citizens?[/li][/ul]

Is their 35 year civil war coming to a close?

Afghanistan seems to have taken a back burner in recent months in light of what’s going on in Iraq/Syria.

What’s the effect the Afghan experience had on Western governments/Soldiers/Diplomats? Did we learn anything?

2

Well, if you’re a career jihadist, all the fun and money is, as you imply, in Iraq and Syria.

3

Hard to tell, but recently there was an attack on Parliament, but it was foiled. Afghan security forces killed all the Taliban terrorists, none of whom managed to enter parliament.
http://www.freepressjournal.in/attack-on-afghanistan-parliament-foiled/

That is one recent news I heard in Afghanistan. The country has a new administration also, and Taliban attacks during the voting process last year was minimal.

I do agree however that Syria and Iraq are the place to be for jihadist scums.

4

The Taliban are doing pretty great. Big gains this year.

The Afghan government realised a long time ago that it is simply incapable of militarily defeating the Taliban.

Afghan-Taliban peace talks have been going on for quite a while now, in Qatar and Norway and all over - the latest round is happening right now, over in Pakistan:

As for the role of foreign powers:

5

Yep, great opportunity for China as well. Sphere of influence pushing a long way across Asia.

6

On balance, a good thing for the entire region, really.

Here’s hoping their efforts pay off.

7

As in this essay, we left Afghanistan and we’ve not really been told if we’ve won or lost, it’s kind of a grey area, why?

But is it really ‘Taliban’ or is it corrupt power centers wanting to regain influence within their respective regions?

China wants to protect it’s eastern rebellious flank. But how is Afghanistans economy?

8

I’m a refugee lawyer and I’ve dealt with a number of cases from Afghanistan in the past year. The situation is bad enough that I haven’t seen a single case recently where the person wasn’t granted, at least, subsidiary protection due to the level of indiscriminate violence there. Pretty much all the country of origin information including that published by the US State Department shows that the Taliban and other “Anti Government Elements” are, if anything, increasing their activity, and the level of displacement is enormous.

No reason to think things aren’t going to continue to get worse before they get better. If they ever do.

9

So would you agree the withdrawal from Afghanistan was something akin to a ‘decent interval’ to avoid the dishonour of abandoning our ally.

10

Ah yes, the imperative of avoiding “dishonour”. Excuse me while I go away and polish my suit of armour.

And just to avoid confusion, who is the ally?

11

Stunning article. Some of the best writing I’ve ever seen on that damn fool war.

12

Wow. That’s what you call a review. I’m so glad work of that depth and quality still gets published,