Wake Up

“The ‘new era of hope’ that Bush pronounced for Afghanistan has not yet come to pass for many there, partly as a result of U.S. decisions. That should be kept in mind, as administration officials and others tout war in Iraq, especially if such a war is to be waged not just to disarm Saddam but to ‘liberate’ the people of Iraq. If promises made to Afghanistan go unfulfilled, if the United States does nothing to challenge warlord dictators who come to power in the aftermath of its military victory there, what reason is there to believe the United States will do better — be more engaged and care more about post-war democracy and reconstruction — in Iraq?”

The rebuilding of Afghanistan is being held up as an example of how the U.S. will be committed to rebuilding Iraq after the war there, but it’s not exactly an example that inspires confidence. While we’re out supporting warlords, the new police force of the government we put in power is shooting protesting students, and our military grip on things is slipping. This is supposed to convince the rest of the world that we’re willing and able to rebuild a post-Saddam Iraq?

Read the whole article here.