An Afghan Initiative

It is heartening to know that anti-Taliban militias have sprouted in different parts of Afghanistan, “prompting hopes of a large-scale tribal rebellion against the Taliban,” so reports the New York Times in this piece, As Afghans Resist Taliban, U.S. Spurs Rise of Militias. It has also encouraged American and Afghan officials to spawn the growth of other armed militias – under the plan “Community Defense Initiative” -- right on Taliban territory in the southern and eastern parts of Afghanistan.

This is encouraging. For one, the initiative comes from the Afghans themselves. Taking responsibility for their own security means that they are beginning to have a moral clarity about what is at stake in this war, namely, not to allow the Taliban to rule their country once again. A Taliban rule would mean perpetuating a way of life that is steeped in ignorance, falsehood, and religious myths. The Afghans also know that a Taliban comeback would mean allowing a cruel, autocratic rule to prevent them back from pursuing a life of dignity, peace, and well-being.

But the article also alludes to potential dangers under this plan: the militias could turn against the Afghan and American governments and also against each other in a culture where warlordism is part of the country’s social infrastructure. These are legitimate concerns. A practical solution lies in establishing institutional checks on these militias, at the community, national, and even international levels. In the NY piece, the US says that it will go about this by keeping the groups small and limiting "the scope of their activities to protecting villages and manning checkpoints."

But more should be required of these militias. They should be linked to institutions that could control both their conduct and activities effectively. At the community level, for instance, their militia activities should be linked to familial duties and obligations. They should be persuaded to think that what they are doing is for the good of their families and communities. Their mothers, wives, and daughters should be co-opted in terms of organizing them into economic associations or small business enterprises, or providing them with education and health care opportunities. If this happens, their welfare now becomes linked with the goals of the militias to rid their community of bad elements. This is not a new idea, but implementing it will probably yield effective results.

At the national level, the Afghan government (as mentioned in the article) should link these militias with the Afghan national police and perhaps put them on their payroll to make them accountable for all their actions. And at the international level (also mentioned in the article), Americans and other international groups will provide the economic and security resources.

My underlying cause for optimism, of course, is the beginning recognition on the part of these Afghans that the good must prevail, and that they must fight for it themselves.

And on this Thanksgiving season, special thanks goes to the Special Forces -- those unsung heroes who do make things happen.