I mentioned to you in an earlier post that I had an opportunity to see a presentation by some of the Corps of Engineer folks that are bulding facilities for the Afghan National Army, and it was fascinating. There are no materials, skilled laborers, only a limited number of people that speak English and even fewer that read it (important when reading plans, they found out).
Basically, the Corps was told to provide housing for brigades of 600 soldiers every 35 days. The soldiers are being trained by the US Army, and the force structure is based on WWII infantry brigades; the Afghanis wanted to use a Russian model, because it was what they are familiar with, but the Americans convinced them to use the American model (the master planner asked the Afghan general whether he wanted to back a winner or a loser, and the general laughed and agreed to the American model). And I told you of the architect that could finally leave for work confident he would return alive to his family.
But it really is starting from scratch. No infrastructure, mid-evil European plumbing. Kabul sits in a valley, and the warlords would sit on the hills and lob artillery rounds into the city, just out of boredom. This was going on for 30 years, so Kabul is one big ruin. They had to have classes on basic building principals, and work with the translators to find words to describe basic things like base plate, bolt, nail....They are having to remove the urinals because the Afghanis would wash their beards and feet in them 5 times a day before praying. They are installing basically long sinks or troughs instead. Cultural lesson learned.
And the Corps had some wonderful pictures and stories of the children, and some of the women (some still are bound by warlords to wear burkhas...progress is slow). And they definitely ARE happier and safer.
My point is that there was a notion that we would be in and out of there in a few short months, and if we get that place anywhere near civilized in 10 years it will be a miracle. And the cost is astronomical (all material are hauled through Khyber Pass, where the warlords "tax" anything that comes through it). Cost estimates include a certain amount for bribery. Have to. Cost of doing business).
We can expect a comparable (if not more costly) effort in Iraq, when we reach that point. And we will always be threatened by the terrorists that are over there, because it is impossible to eliminate terrorism.