Afghanistan and Elsewhere

         When Obama first became president in 2008, I sent him a letter urging that he withdraw United States troops from Afghanistan.  I wrote that “The Brits couldn’t do it, the Soviets couldn’t do it, and we can’t do it” and by “it” I meant liberate that nation from its debilitating customs.  I think I was and am correct.  Afghanistan was and remains a nation of war lords.  It has always oppressed women, far more than its many Muslim neighbors.  The Afghani burka covers women completely, from head to toe, and even hides their eyes, installing a mesh fabric over them so that they can see out, although dimly, and others can’t see in.  If they want to discard these customs and get rid of the Taliban, they have to do it themselves.  Do you believe that they can’t?  Then who can?  Societies must create their own changes and ways.  No one else can do it for them.

         Many years ago, in the early part of this century, I and others supported Afghani women’s groups.  We received a letter from them, saying “Please don’t support us anymore.  When you do so, the men of our region say that we are being supported by the West, and that diminishes our power.”  I believed them then and I do so now.  I really admired Biden for pulling us out of there; I was dismayed this morning to learn that he putting more U.S. troops back in.  Stay the course, Mr. President!  You were right the first time.