Afghanistan Election
Out of context: Reply #7
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@GeorgesII
I'm not saying speaking at TED and writing a book is enough cred to become president. It was more a "you may know him from" comment.
The unfortunate reality in Afghanistan is that any of the current politicians in Afghanistan are grossly corrupt and incapable of working towards rebuilding the country.
Being Afghan, and having traveled there on numerous occasions to work with charity organisations and meet with several government officials, I've seen the corruption first hand. Not to mention the intense values placed on race and religion within Afghanistan which has been the cause of in-fighting for many years.
Having said that, I've come to the grim realisation that the only hope the people of Afghanistan have is being lead by an externally educated Afghan. Now, Hamid Karzai was also an American educated Afghan and I don't think his failures have necessarily been his fault, but more so the height of corruption in his administration and the lack of willing of people in his administration to cooperate with foreign allies.
Apart from the corruption there is also the problem of half the country being controlled by ex-mujahidin warlords who demand to maintain control and also back the Taliban. These people are a cancer who continue to spread their rhetoric and instill fear in the people.
In a broader overview, the Afghan people all want peace. The problem is they believe it should be done their way! Now judging by the experiences Afghans have had in the past, the only way to get your way is by fighting for it. This is a mentality Afghans have adopted after many years of conflict, and I'm talking pre Soviet invasion. Think more Alexander the Great! This sense of "fighting to drive out the foreigner" fills the Afghan people with pride.
Pride itself is an interesting concept. In Afghanistan it's considered a great insult if you correct someone. Even if they are wrong, you should never correct them in front of others. Believe me when I say, this is a national mentality, and point of concern because this tells us that people are so proud, they refuse to accept their mistakes. What does that tell you about someone? What does that tell you a bout a nation? Somebody who will not accept their mistakes is destined to make them again and again!
With that EXTREMELY brief and summarised view, maybe Ghani is not the answer, but his literature, knowledge and previous experience in Afghanistan including participating in the rebuilding of Afghanistan from the beginning of the American infiltration, makes him the best current prospect.