re: Will the war in Afghanistan ever end?

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I think that’s a Russian propaganda photo

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The Russians didn't invade until well after that photo was taken. Afghanistan had been "civilized" by the Brits. When the Brits started trying to pull out and leave behind a puppet government that would keep the protections for women and the other trappings of civilized western society, the Russians invaded. The only force that seemed capable at opposing the Russians was led by the radical Muslims whom we (the CIA) armed and trained. After the Russians were kicked out, the radical Muslims completely dismantled the free, secular society and replaced it with an authoritarian one that wasn't much better than the communist option. Since we took over in 2001, outside of Kabul, the nation is barely more than a failed state. Inside of Kabul, the government is corrupt, individual liberty is written on paper only, and the only people with any real money are high-ranking government officials/contractors, and "poppy princes" who grow the poppies used to make opium and heroin.

The economy in Afghanistan has historically been based around 3 things:
1. the silk road
2. saffron
3. opium

Advancements in shipping technology and exploration in the 1600's and on essentially rendered the Silk Road obsolete, and while the Taliban essentially eradicated poppy production during their rule, while the U.S. has on paper opposed it, they actually protect it and engage in it. The other cash crop, saffron, is extremely valuable, but labor and effort intensive to cultivate, leading to most farmers that could be growing saffron to opt to grow poppies instead.

In my opinion, the key to "civilizing" Afghanistan lies in reducing worldwide demand for opium and heroin, convincing more and more farmers to switch from heroin to saffron, and to build up the nation's transportation infrastructure and ability to provide basic law and order so that mining companies can come in and efficiently extract the valuable rare earth minerals that exist there. However, so long as poppies are the primary cash crop due to the massive worldwide demand to feed our opioid crisis, organized crime, petty warlords, and sectarian violence will continue to keep Afghanistan in the Middle Ages.