Afghanistan Four Years On: An Assessment

The US Army Professional Writing Collection ^ | Autumn 2005 | Dr. Sean M. Maloney

[SandRat]

"The transformation of a traditional society could only be achieved extremely slowly, and certainly not by wrecking its existing structure and relationships. Even in the Soviet Union there had been the 'great mistakes' of the 1920s and 1930s. As a Soviet official in Moscow was also reported as saying [in 1981], 'If there is one country in the world where we would not like to try scientific socialism at this point in time, it is Afghanistan.'" - Martin Ewans, Afghanistan (2001)

[SandRat]

Very long read but a good one.

[SandRat]

Long read but pretty fair assessment.

[Calpernia]

In 2005, the situation in Afghanistan has progressed to the point where guarded optimism is justified. Unfortunately, the perception of the situation on the ground has become distorted through the prism of American partisan politics, particularly during the run-up to the 2004 election. The focus of this rhetoric was and remains issues related to narcotics production and a number of spin-off arguments related to it. Afghanistan is apparently no longer looked at as "another Vietnam"; now it is perhaps "another Colombia."

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[ClaireSolt]

His criticism of simplistic metrics of media made me laugh.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT