The Foreign Service Journal, December 2005

gross domestic product. So one senses a serious imbalance in the universe when Afghans need donat- ed American wheat from the World Food Program, while at the same time, heroin originating there is sold on the streets of Europe and the U.S. President Karzai has not been successful in cutting production, and his leadership in this area has been criticized by the U.S. agencies involved. For the past three years, counternarcotics activities have been beyond the authority of U.S. military personnel. Washington policy-mak- ers now recognize that the U.S. mil- itary will have to get involved if the drug traffickers are to be defeated. In addition, eradication without a feasible alternative source of income — along with supporting roads and rural infrastructure — is a non- starter. About $4 billion in recon- struction aid has been approved by donor countries (up significantly from 2001), but the deteriorating security situation, as well as difficul- ties in transport and communication nationwide, have put a serious crimp in efforts to rebuild. Corruption and lack of trained government staff have also contributed to the lacklus- ter results. Accordingly, economic expansion remains the key to a viable and stable Afghanistan. The final factor inhibiting Af- ghanistan’s social, political and eco- nomic development is the oldest and perhaps the strongest of all: the country’s history as a patchwork of tribal cultures for whom blood ties, ethnic affiliation and religious iden- tity all trump national loyalties. Will the Karzai government be able to deliver on its promises of a better life, thus winning the trust of the population? For over a genera- tion the citizenry has been lied to by a succession of rulers: the monarchy, communists, Taliban and muja- hedeen. There is a limit to their patience, but not to their skepticism. Few could argue that our rela- tionship with Afghanistan and its neighbors in the recent past repre- sents a high point for U.S. diploma- cy. That being said, let us hope we have learned from our mistakes and are now in Afghanistan for the long haul. n D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 59 Far from being a luxury, examining Afghanistan’s history is a necessity. Interim Accommodations for Corporate and Government Markets Apartments, Townhouses & Single Family Homes “FOR THE EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE” h finder5@IX.netcom.com Locations throughout Northern Virginia and D.C. Units fully furnished, equipped and accessorized Many “Walk to Metro” locations Pet Friendly 5105-L Backlick Road, Annandale, Virginia Tel: (703) 354-4070 Fax: (703) 642-3619 Executive Lodging Alternatives