How to foster economic development in a post-war Afghanistan

David Waldman and Phyllis Bennis have written a highly useful book for those interested in getting a basic and comprehensive understanding of the Afghanistan war, from why it has been seen as a “good war” by US leaders, media, and many in the general public, to “what will it take to change US policy in Afghanistan so that US military forces will be soon withdrawn. The title: Ending the US War in Afghanistan: A Primer. The book is organized around informative and thought-provoking answers to 35 questions, organized into six topics or “parts.”

The thirty-third question is: “What would a responsible plan to end the US war in Afghanistan look like?” Waldman and Bennis want the war and occupation to end and US troops brought home, but this, for them, is not the end of US obligations. They write: “…it was true in Iraq and is equally true in Afghanistan that the US debt to the people of those beleaguered countries is far greater than just getting the troops out.” They continue: “After years of war, abandonment to brutal US-armed warlords, invasion, occupation, more war – the US owes a huge debt to the Afghan people. Pulling out the troops is only step one” (179). It is here that they specify eleven potential provisions of a “responsible plan.”

Their proposals amount to “good ideas” that might serve to give US readers of the book and others a notion of what it will take to bring post-US-led-war Afghanistan and its people back to some minimal but meaningfully satisfactory economic level of development.

One thing that stands out in their sketch of a “plan” is that it will take the cooperation and support of many regional governments and the [financially strapped] UN to pull it off. If such collaboration was ever to be achieved, it would mark a stunning and unprecedented historic event in Afghanistan and this region of the world - or just about anywhere. Nonetheless, good ideas are better than no ideas or bad ideas. Waldman and Bennis get us thinking of possible alternatives to the ongoing hapless and destructive policies of the Bush-Obama administrations and the military chiefs.

Here are the proposals.

First, they write that it is of utmost importance to recognize that the war is counterproductive, as US and allied troops kill Afghan civilians and thereby increasing support for insurgents. It's vicious cycle.

Second, “Immediately end troop escalation and all combat and counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan…halt drone attacks…in Pakistan; close all US military bases…begin the full withdrawal of all US troops….”

Third, “remove all humanitarian, development, infrastructure, or other assistance programs and personnel from control [by the US, or Afghan] military.”

Fourth, “close Bagram Airbase prison” and help the Afghan government to develop cash, job training, and jobs programs for former detainees.

Fifth, develop a multifaceted program for Afghan refugees, including “financial assistance for returning refugees to Afghanistan and assistance to main refugee centers (Iran, Pakistan); accept more refuges into US.”

Sixth, cease “all anti-poppy fumigation programs; invest significant funds in infrastructure and financial assistance for alternative crop cultivation.”

Seventh, foster “and support…ceasefire, reconciliation, and negotiation processes involving all parties including Taliban in both Afghanistan and Pakistan….”

Eighth, confront the widespread “corruption and illegitimacy in the US-backed government” by stopping “uncritical political and financial backing.”

Ninth, distribute small-scale financial assistance “to local, regional, tribal and other leaders for job creation, aiming particularly at reaching and recruiting young unemployed men who are vulnerable to militias offering pay….”

Tenth, facilitate or support – not control – of “separate negotiations including all neighboring countries, with leadership of UN, the Organization of Islamic Conference )OIC), the Shanghai Cooperation Alliance (which groups China, Russia, and five resource-rich Central Asian states, [and] other regional organizations. The negotiations should “exclude NATO, CSTO, and other military alliances.”

Eleventh, and finally, shift “the majority of Afghanistan military budgets [much of it from US assistance?] into UN and regional funds for Afghan-chosen, Afghan-planned, and Afghan-implemented construction and reconstruction….”