What's the real current situation in Afghanastan?

[napi21]

I keep hearing lots of Pubs claiming how we won there, and we have an ally running the country, and live is great and wonderful. Every so often, a different story slips into the news that says the Taliban is rebuilding and the Poppy crop is the biggest ever, and the US is not paying any attention.

Anybody know what the read deal is? I sure as hell can't believe anything I hear from this admin!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I'll have to find sources

But I believe the Taliban are still quite strong in the hinterlands. I remember, vaguely, hearing that the only place where things were relatively secure was Kabul.

I just googled Afghanistan-news and found these articles:

Afghanistan Endures Week of Violence-npr
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5201792&ft=1&f=1004

The week in Afghanistan brings new Taliban attacks, a suicide bombing in Kandahar, and violent protests in response to the publication of satirical cartoons of Muhammad in European newspapers.

Nepalis "Abducted" in Afghanistan-bbc
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4705986.stm

Afghan police are investigating the kidnapping of two Nepalese men seized while they were walking to work in central Kabul on Saturday morning.

A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said the men, who are thought to work for a private security firm, were abducted at 0530 local time (0100 GMT).

He did not say if police suspected criminals or militants, or if they had made contact with the kidnappers.

The kidnap of foreigners is rare in Afghanistan.

[napi21]

2. I'm hoping to hear from some soldiers who recently returned.

I realize you only get a small picture from them, based upon where they were stationed and what their jobs were, but I'm having a real hard time believeing what we're hearing from this admin.

I know when my son was visiting here around the holidays, I asked him if he really believed the admin PR about all the soldiers in Iraq & Afghan being sooo supportive of what they're doing, and all are willing to go back for 2nd abd 3rd tours. He said "NO! But you won't really ever hear the negative until they're home and out of the military! Similar to what you had in 'Nam."

[Tinksrival]

4. I just did a post on an Afgan Vet

Not good.....:-(

www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=397024&mesg_id=397024

[NeoGreen]

3. I work as a contractor for a large Global "Chemical Manufacturer"...

and a few weeks back they put out a company wide e-mail where they revised the travel policy for employees going to Afghanistan.

The main new rules:

1) travel to Afghanistan can only be approved by the CEO/President

2) travel into and out of Afghanistan will be by air only (no trains, cars or other)

3) travelers must be prepared to leave with a 1-hour notice at all times

4) travel is limited to the Kabul airport, the pre-approved hotel and points in between (no exceptions)

5) travelers may stay no more then two nights.

They issue travel policies all the time for countries all over the world and this is the most restrictive policy I've seen since I've started working with them in 1999.

[napi21]

5. Hmmm. Doesn't sound like the Country has been secured, huh?

That's what I suspected. Kabul is their "Green Zone" and the rest of the Country is not much better than it was before the invasion.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

6. RAWA is a good source of info

(RAWA = "The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan")

Recent news stories:
http://www.rawa.org/recent2.htm

Also, I highly recommend this article from October:

The "Miracle" or a Mockery of Afghanistan?
RAWA?s response to ?The Afghanistan Miracle?
published in The Seattle Times (October 4, 2005) by Diane Tebelius

http://www.rawa.org/seattletimes.htm