Imagine never being allowed to leave your house and painting all the windows black so you can't be seen or look out at the world around you. That is an abbreviated life of a woman under Taliban rule.
I fled Afghanistan recently because of the brutality of the men currently. They have come along way, but still have a long way to go.
Thanks for sharing. I used to teach women in Afghanistan, and there is a lot of hope for a better future. However, the complete social dynamics need to change, starting with the family.
I may have a very different background, my father bought me a hand gun when I turned eight. He enrolled my brother and I in hand gun safety course and hunting courses. He also taught us to respect our guns.
I learned to fear their power so much that I couldn't shoot them properly, violent shaking. Maybe safety courses should be required for those that purchase guns?
I may have a very different background, my father bought me a hand gun when I turned eight. He enrolled my brother and I in hand gun safety course and hunting courses. He also taught us to respect our guns.
I learned to fear their power so much that I couldn't shoot them properly, violent shaking. Maybe safety courses should be required for those the purchase guns?
Most Afghans that I've meet while in Afghanistan are hopeful but terrified of the future. They worry that once ISAF leaves everything will repeat, when the Russians left civil war broke out. They want a strong central government, and you are right in the tribal regions the tribe is the government. My father-in-law is a tribal elder near where the US helicopter killed all the Pakitstsni soldiers. (No, I'm not partial to Afghans, I had to flee the country with hours notice due to a security threat.)
As for trust, Afghans have been in conflict so long that they don't know how else to live. An entire generation has grown up during war. Wouldn't that make you skeptical and greedy?
Yes, there will ALWAYS be problems in the US, especially drugs. However, those that are involved in drugs usually (but not always) have a choice. We don't get to choose where we are born and only can make the best of whatever life we have; ie born into poverty, riches, or a developing country.
We cannot drop a nuclear weapon and wipe a place off the map, would you like that done to your state? It is not a means to end, but would only create more and more hate at our arrogance.
The ISAF forces used to walk the streets in my husband's village and talk with those that were willing, but now both are too afraid. So, no we didn't lose the chance 10 years ago, but Afghans believe we haven't made things much better. I ask them where their salaries or schools come from and the don't realize it's all US funded. I imagine a campaign showing what has changed would be a good reminder, instead of the dramatic news programs from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The afghans are very passionate, and you would be too if you were afraid for the future (staying alive, not making money or buying a bigger house or newer car). Maybe we should go back to the drawing board, even this late in the game and hit the restart button?
I completely agree, innocent lives are being lost in a country that we are 'not at war' with, but what would be a better option?
I've travelled the areas around Jalalabad in Afghanistan, and now even the Afghans are afraid of traveling to neighboring villages because of the lawlessness and Taliban. This is a porus region where drones can be constantly heard taking off and landing. Yes, I know that drones make it easier for the Taliban to recruit, but looking from a military point of view what would work instead?
The schools and clinics built by PRT are blown up or burnt down. So, how can the west gain trust other than pull out and let the country collapse?
Imagine never being allowed to leave your house and painting all the windows black so you can't be seen or look out at the world around you. That is an abbreviated life of a woman under Taliban rule.
I fled Afghanistan recently because of the brutality of the men currently. They have come along way, but still have a long way to go.
Thanks for sharing. I used to teach women in Afghanistan, and there is a lot of hope for a better future. However, the complete social dynamics need to change, starting with the family.
I may have a very different background, my father bought me a hand gun when I turned eight. He enrolled my brother and I in hand gun safety course and hunting courses. He also taught us to respect our guns.
I learned to fear their power so much that I couldn't shoot them properly, violent shaking. Maybe safety courses should be required for those that purchase guns?
I may have a very different background, my father bought me a hand gun when I turned eight. He enrolled my brother and I in hand gun safety course and hunting courses. He also taught us to respect our guns.
I learned to fear their power so much that I couldn't shoot them properly, violent shaking. Maybe safety courses should be required for those the purchase guns?
When Afghanistan was left alone previously the extremists plotted large enough terrorist attacks that the world remembered Afghanistan.
Most Afghans that I've meet while in Afghanistan are hopeful but terrified of the future. They worry that once ISAF leaves everything will repeat, when the Russians left civil war broke out. They want a strong central government, and you are right in the tribal regions the tribe is the government. My father-in-law is a tribal elder near where the US helicopter killed all the Pakitstsni soldiers. (No, I'm not partial to Afghans, I had to flee the country with hours notice due to a security threat.)
As for trust, Afghans have been in conflict so long that they don't know how else to live. An entire generation has grown up during war. Wouldn't that make you skeptical and greedy?
Yes, there will ALWAYS be problems in the US, especially drugs. However, those that are involved in drugs usually (but not always) have a choice. We don't get to choose where we are born and only can make the best of whatever life we have; ie born into poverty, riches, or a developing country.
We cannot drop a nuclear weapon and wipe a place off the map, would you like that done to your state? It is not a means to end, but would only create more and more hate at our arrogance.
The ISAF forces used to walk the streets in my husband's village and talk with those that were willing, but now both are too afraid. So, no we didn't lose the chance 10 years ago, but Afghans believe we haven't made things much better. I ask them where their salaries or schools come from and the don't realize it's all US funded. I imagine a campaign showing what has changed would be a good reminder, instead of the dramatic news programs from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The afghans are very passionate, and you would be too if you were afraid for the future (staying alive, not making money or buying a bigger house or newer car). Maybe we should go back to the drawing board, even this late in the game and hit the restart button?
I completely agree, innocent lives are being lost in a country that we are 'not at war' with, but what would be a better option?
I've travelled the areas around Jalalabad in Afghanistan, and now even the Afghans are afraid of traveling to neighboring villages because of the lawlessness and Taliban. This is a porus region where drones can be constantly heard taking off and landing. Yes, I know that drones make it easier for the Taliban to recruit, but looking from a military point of view what would work instead?
The schools and clinics built by PRT are blown up or burnt down. So, how can the west gain trust other than pull out and let the country collapse?