Beautiful Disaster : 8 Years After the Great Afghan Hope [and Hype]
In an interview with Christiane Amanpour, former Afghan Presidential candidate, Dr. Ashraf Ghani recalled images of the Afghan people welcoming the U.S. and NATO soldiers with flowers, hopeful of a change that they were sure would finally come to their nation.
Now just over 8 years later, a new American President has to publicly assure the people of the United States and Afghanistan that the United States will embark on a mission that he believes is suitable and appropriate for both nations. Whether Obama’s plans play out as he envisions remains to be seen, but now I am left to wonder if Obama can re-ignite that initial hope that Afghans in Afghanistan and the United States felt when the U.S. and NATO forces set out to oust the Taliban and Al Qaeda from Afghanistan?
It may seem far fetched now, but I remember the air of hope that Afghans felt in 2001. There were people cheering in front of their Television screens as news reports came of the U.S. and NATO forces setting out for Afghanistan and each time there was news of progress against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Perhaps it was that initial idealism that kept the people from focusing on civilian casualties for too long. I remember people saying that as unfortunate as the civilian deaths were, they were part of a larger change that was to come to Afghanistan in the impending days. I remember people saying they threw parties when they heard the U.S. was finally going to pay attention to Afghanistan once again after the 12 years of neglect and ignoring of the dire situation in the war torn nation. After all, with it’s military might and financial resources it was impossible for the U.S. not to have the vision to have Afghanistan surpass even what it was during the so-called “golden age” of Mohammed Zahir Shah. I remember the stories of people calling their friends and relatives back home in Afghanistan to say that their suffering was almost over.
But that was eight years ago. As much as we may support Obama’s troop surge (or not), and as much as we want to stay hopeful (if not for ourselves then for those still in Afghanistan), that kind of idealism may never exist again. For those of us who wanted this troop surge, what we believe needs to happen is happening. Here’s hoping the U.S. finally does right by Afghanistan.
Just thought I’d share that.
I suppose all we can do though, is hope. Hope that Obama’s troop surge is intelligently deployed and finally brings change to Afghanistan.
Hope and change. Such novel ideas.