Posted on 08/21/2017 5:41:24 PM PDT by HokieMom
The Pashtun majority of Afghanistan have survived many difficulties by adhering to their code of pashtunwali. This has served them for 1700 years, well before the start of Islam, and has spread to other tribes and parts of Pakistan. When bin Laden’s second in command, Zwahiri(sp?), fled to the northern tribes of Pakistan, he first of all was a guest, and also married a member of the tribe. Read the discription of this code below. Many other articles can be found on Google under Pashtunwali. Understanding this is extremely important to comprehending how Afghanistan works, and what might work there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtunwali
Please read my Comment #621 for information on why this approach is probably not the most effective way to proceed. My son who has 20+ years in 82nd Airborne and Special Forces did tours in Afghanistan in 2006 and 2013. He is the one who made me aware of the importance of Pashtunwali.
What did Washington warn about in his farewell address? The advice is a foundation piece, not a period piece.
Thank you that is very interesting. I have read stories about these people taking in our soldiers and wondered. We need to leave these people alone and let them live their life. I am worried Trump has been consumed by the military. Don’t get me wrong I support both with reason. Trump gave his word about leaving.
You understand that Karzai was Pashtun? There were stories that his brother was involved in a lot of graft. Many Taliban were also Pashtun as were their enemies. I had been following the activities of Massoud and the Northern Alliance and was shocked when he was assassinated by al qaeda probably as part of bin Laden’s 9/11 attack which happened 2 days later. I have always wondered how Afghanistan would have turned out if he were not killed? No Karzai, less corruption, fewer US and other foreign troops involved, including my son in 2006 and 2013? The second link lists the various allied warlords, their ethnicity, etc. Also described is how a number of countries and especially Pakistan supported one group against others in an effort to have more influence in the country.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Alliance
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