Article 2
Timeline of Taliban Rule in Afghanistan
Public Confidence Survey
On Saturday in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, a gunman opened fire in a Shia mosque during prayer and killed at least 39 civilians. The Islamic State has since claimed the attack, though has not provided evidence. There was also an attack on a Sunni mosque in the Ghor province with left 20 civilians dead.
In addition, (also on Saturday) a suicide bomber killed 15 Afghani army cadets. The Taliban claimed this attack. Including this incident, 250 lives were taken due to bombings this week. The three bombers on Saturday took 74 lives.
Kabul has been attacked more than 10 times this year alone. After the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 1993, it has been very unstable despite the adoption of a new Constitution (that has some similarities to the American constitution, including a three branch government) in 2004. A 2015 survey by the Asia Foundation found that “57.5% of people across the country believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, and 67.4% fear for their personal safety.” This shows that less than half of Afghani citizens believe that what their government is doing is right, and almost 70% live in fear.
Does the fact that America gave support to the anti-communist Mujahidden forces that became the Taliban make America responsible in helping Afghanistan achieve stablity? If so, to what extent?
4 comments:
I think that since it was American interference that caused these problems in the first place, American interference might not be the best way to solve them. It is difficult for outsiders to come in and try to solve the internal problems of other countries. For all its might American involvement in Afghanistan has the potential to create more problems than it solves. American arrogance, and the assumption that we know what is best for others is what got Afghanistan into this mess in the first place. I think the best way to deal with problems like this is to allow the Afghan people to take the lead. If they want outside assistance or mediation that should come from international organisations like the UN, and be at the discretion of Afghani leaders. This way Afghanistan's sovereignty is maintained, and members of the international community can still help move the country towards peace.
I kind of agree with Sam, American interference in this country has caused nothing but discord and grief. However, it just seems inadequate to screw up a country and then leave it to heal and rebuild itself. I'm not saying that the US should interfere and that leaving the Afghan people to take the lead is a bad idea, but I don't think we should entirely leave them in the dust. We just shouldn't try to push our views, policies, and advice onto them. I think organizations sending them outside assistance is a great idea.
Although the U.S has caused lots of damage to Afghanistan, I believe resolving the issue should not just be U.S intervention. Instead, more countries should get together and help find a solution that would benefit Afghanistan. I agree with Sam on the international organizations such as UN because their position is viewed as neutral since they have done nothing to create the problems present. The attacks shouldn't be blamed for the attacks because it's not U.S who did it, but rather supposedly Isis. Isis's actions shouldn't be a reason for U.S to intervene.
Although it’s true that America did contribute to getting the Taliban in power, it is not necessarily our fault the position that Afghanistan is currently in. This does not mean that I support what is currently happening, but I believe problems that arise within the country should also be that country’s responsibility to solve. If less than half of the population believes their government is doing the right thing and nearly 70% are living in fear, I believe the citizens should step up and propose a change that might amend the ways the Taliban is ruling at the moment. Any further foreign interference would not be recommended.
Post a Comment