Some commentators think that the fall of the Soviet Union was closely connected with its military disaster in Afghanistan, as the invincibility of the superpower and the superiority of its culture was successfully challenged by bands of tribal fighters. What will the fate of NATO be if defeat has to be acknowledged at some time in the future?
Obama's new strategy, and NATO's contribution of another 7,000 troops, will add to the perception that Afghanistan is being occupied. In fact, military intervention has made the country more fundamentalist. So, it must be asked, what real life impact will Obama's decision have for the local people?
With the opposition to the war in Afghanistan becoming more pronounced, the Brave New Foundation - a California-based advocacy group - launched its 'Rethink Afghanistan' campaign in connection with a documentary about the war. Two chapters are embedded below, respectively dealing with women and 'victory' in Afghanistan. They offer a critical analysis of the war and the lived experience of Afghani citizens, while stressing the difference between official rhetoric and the consequences on the ground. What is this war truly achieving?
The complete six-part documentary can be found at www.rethinkafghanistan.com.
Dr. Bernhard Lucke is a researcher at the German-Jordanian University Amman where he focuses on the environment and the role of climate change in Jordan and the Levant.
Related Material from the Atlantic Community:
- NATO on Road to Stability
- Abbas Daiyar on Afghanistan is not Vietnam and the US is not the USSR
- Péter Marton on Counter Insurgency 4.0 is Needed in Norther Afghanistan
- 7
December 17, 2009
Marie-France Boucher , University of Ottawa , (4)
I think the documentary is really enlightening regarding the situation in Afghanistan. I think the general media don't portray the reality of the situation and make the public confused.