This map leaves little room for doubt as to the “insurgency premium” reaped by the trouble(d) spots of the country. (Map taken from a guest post by Ambassador Thomas Schweich, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), US Department of State on CSIS PCR Project blog.)
Rory Stewart has got it right when he says in his new column that:
Projects in hostile areas, where the local population is not working with us and where a minority wants to attack us, are not a constructive use of our limited resources.
The column goes on to advocate for a peace and cooperation premium in areas hitherto neglected and unreconstructed:
We can do much more to show people the benefit of cooperating with the coalition… Our best hope is rather to focus on the many secure and welcoming parts of Afghanistan’s center and north. Efforts to jumpstart local economies led by members of those communities are more effective, more relevant and more sustainable than those dictated by outsiders. We have a great opportunity in the north, center and west of Afghanistan to lead development projects for which Afghans will still be grateful 50 years from now.
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In other news, after an unannounced and inexcusable hiatus of almost two months to date, Safrang is back online – with the added benefit of now being posted live from the heat of the moment and the belly of the beast. Step aside Geraldo!
All ye thirsty beneficiaries of this infinite stream of wisdom rejoice!
Safrangُ 
[…] in Afghanistan’s volatile areas is much more expensive and unproductive than elsewhere. Safrang agrees with a columnist that the focus of the international should take another approach. Share […]
[…] سفرنگ بلاگر افغان با کسانی که معتقدند سرمایه گذاری در نقاط نا آرام افغانستان اتلاف وقت و سرمایه است موافق است. روری استوارت در نیوویرک تایمز می گوید سرمایه گذاری در مناطقی که اکثریت مردم نمی خواهد با همکاری کنند و اقلیتی نیز در آنجا حاضر است به ما شلیک کند تلف کردن سرمایه و منابع محدودی است که ما در اختیار داریم. سرمایه گذاری در مناطق شمال غرب و مرکز افغانستان می تواند نتایج بسیار مثبتی داشته باشد […]
Happy that you are back, this is an important issue, i hope it gets more recommendations and attentions.
[…] In Afghanistan, U.S. SOF have been so deeply counterproductive the local UK commander has asked them to withdraw for fear of permanently losing the Sangin area in the north of Helmand (coincidentally, the Taliban’s heartland, and the source of much of Afghanistan’s annual export of 6000 metric tonnes of opium). This is not a new concept, but it is nice to see a non-blogger finally saying it in the open. Meanwhile, we have to question why the Afghan police have such a hard time getting on their feet, when they’re not only the most targeted by the Taliban (who have learned that undermining support for Kabul is how they’ll win, not by attacking Americans), but are one of the lowest paid jobs in the world. Indeed, salaries are a big missing piece from the development which might drag Afghanistan into maybe at least the 20th century. And, to sort-of repeat an oft-repeated axiom here: money talks. […]
[…] In Afghanistan, U.S. SOF have been so deeply counterproductive the local UK commander has asked them to withdraw for fear of permanently losing the Sangin area in the north of Helmand (coincidentally, the Taliban’s heartland, and the source of much of Afghanistan’s annual export of 6000 metric tonnes of opium). This is not a new concept, but it is nice to see a non-blogger finally saying it in the open. Meanwhile, we have to question why the Afghan police have such a hard time getting on their feet, when they’re not only the most targeted by the Taliban (who have learned that undermining support for Kabul is how they’ll win, not by attacking Americans), but are one of the lowest paid jobs in the world. Indeed, salaries are a big missing piece from the development which might drag Afghanistan into maybe at least the 20th century. And, to sort-of repeat an oft-repeated axiom here: money talks. […]
dear javaid,
thank you , yes thank you, for giving us a chance of rejoicing with new streams of wisdom. Your absence was a huge loss.
your baraadar,
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I really like what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and coverage! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve added you guys to my own blogroll.Richmond Roofing Service, 6731 Pickett Dr., Richmond, TX 77469 – (281) 973-7855
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