WANTED: Afghan Strongmen

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

WANTED: Afghan Strongmen

If the glowing treatment in the WSJ is any indicator, the US has found a potential Pashtun "strong man" to manage Afghanistan: Agha Shirzai. He apparently has demonstrated an ability to both navigate tribal politics and to cement their obedience. The article also claims he has reduced poppy production in the small province he is currently running (after amassing a fortune of $300 million growing/smuggling the same in Kandahar), has been able to complete infrastructure projects (heavily corrupted), and is ramping up the use of tribal militias (independent of gov't controls). Sounds familiar.

Posted at 01:10 PM in Journal | Permalink

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On Brave New War

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