Without the ever-illusive "West" to fight, I think that the Taliban will just kind of internally dissolve. Perhaps, in the aftermath, there will be hope for people there then? — thewonder
I do not know what is the matter with the Afghanis. Is it Islam? History? Culture? What? — Bitter Crank
Afghanistan is reputed to have vast mineral resources--minerals important in the current economy. Why hasn't some nation -- us, Russia, Pakistan, or Afghanistan started mining these riches? Such a move would have helped Afghanistan (under the best of circumstances) become richer. They might still be medieval fanatics, but at least they'd have a pot to piss — Bitter Crank
But... Pakistan didn't conjure up fanaticism; the Afghanis supplied that themselves. — Bitter Crank
Precisely, this is what happens in 1979 with Iran... which would have been a very developed country but then, radical islamists showed up. — javi2541997
"Internally dissolve"? Surely not when the Taliban are an instrument of Pakistan intended to keep India and Russia out. — Apollodorus
Afghanistan is reputed to have vast mineral resources--minerals important in the current economy. Why hasn't some nation -- us, Russia, Pakistan, or Afghanistan started mining these riches? Such a move would have helped Afghanistan (under the best of circumstances) become richer. They might still be medieval fanatics, but at least they'd have a pot to piss in. — Bitter Crank
Wasn't Iran a monarchy at that point? — thewonder
check out this obituary. — thewonder
He built the country's first university, and developed cultural and commercial bonds with the West. Travellers began to view Afghanistan as an attractive destination, with its mountains, rich culture and the relics of many ancient civilisations.
ought not really to instill a sense of nostalgia within anyone with a healthy dose of skepticism of clandestine actions undertaken by the so-called "West" in the region. — thewonder
Yes, I am agree with you. This is due to of how sticky the tribesmen and religion is in Asia. It is so difficult to put “West values” so randomly. I guess it is a process which takes some years if the country has a chance to do so. — javi2541997
The 1964 Constitution of Afghanistan, though I am sure the regime made some progress in this regard, makes absolutely no mention of women's rights whatsoever, which is kind of a focal point in the article — thewonder
It wasn't a modern democratic state; — thewonder
What is the meaning of modern? — javi2541997
I remember some internal commentator saying glumly that Afghanistan had just taken a great leap forward into the 14th century — Wayfarer
The problem in the region is not Afghanistan, it's Pakistan. — Apollodorus
the Middle East — javi2541997
Not to be pedant but Afghanistan is a Central Asian state — Olivier5
The Saur revolution cannot be said to have resulted in a greater degree of civil freedoms. Especially when it ended up with the Soviet Union having to invade the country.I remember in the 1970's, I think it was, a Time Magazine account of something that had happened in Afghanistan, I think an overthrow or revolution or something of the kind, which purportedly was going to result in a greater degree of civil freedoms. I remember some internal commentator saying glumly that Afghanistan had just taken a great leap forward into the 14th century. — Wayfarer
As both Mazar-i-Sharif and now Jalalabad have fallen, it's now only Kabul, basically. Done deal, collapse is inevitable and rapid. — ssu
They are destroying all artifacts with US logos and such. Anticipating that the victorious Taliban would parade them around just like with the American firearms and trucks they are doing now.I have a very bad feeling that's exactly what is going to happen. There is already smoke coming from the roof of the US Embassy where they're burning documents. — Wayfarer
As on another thread I commented, Al Gore would have done the same thing as Bush and gone into Afghanistan.Let’s not forget the people who launched the whole debacle. — Wayfarer
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