Was there ever a chance that an Afghan government supported by outsiders, NATO this time, would survive the departure of the outsiders? Was there any sense to using military methods to replace an unwanted government deemed undesirable? My initial thought was that all these invaders of Afghanistan, going back through all of history, were like Sisyphus and the stone, when it rolled back down, rolled right over them.
I am concerned for the fate of those Afghans who tried to change the way Afghanistan is ruled and the way it deals with the world, will suffer retribution from the Taliban for not being Islamist enough, for collaborating with the enemy, and just because they are in the wrong place or look the wrong way. The Taliban leadership is speaking with a conciliatory tone and I wonder whether it is a change after 20 years out of power or a ruse to get people calm and ready to accept their leadership before dropping a weight of dictatorial fiat rule and theocratic jurisprudence on a docile population.
I suspect conciliation is a short-term policy and theocracy the ultimate goal, but short of another invasion, which is highly unlikely, we will have to wait it out and see what direction the Taliban takes.
The failure of nation-building was predictable if not inevitable. Under three Presidents, Bush 2, Obama and Trump, we saw the situation remain unstable, the Taliban determined to not surrender, and no resolution in sight. Once Trump decided to cut the cord last year by making a deal with the Taliban that we could not enforce, the stone began rolling down hill.
That the world and the people of Afghanistan have to wait to see what the Taliban will do is nerve wracking, especially for the Afghans.
Could NATO have done more? I think more would've depended on significant resistance to the Taliban from within Afghanistan, as the Taliban presented significant resistance to NATO and the NATO backed government, and it just wasn't there. Perhaps in the future, but not now.
I'll quote from Pirkei Avot, the Sayings of the Fathers, an ancient Jewish text. Rabbi Hillel is reported to have said, "If I am not for myself, who is for me? But if I am for my own self [only], what am I? And if not now, when?"
This seems apt right now.
Moving on to more pleasant things, and continuing the thread of yesterday's post about the visit to Beacon, NY this past Saturday.
During the course of our pleasant stroll along Main Street, we came to the opening at Clutter Gallery (163 Main St.) of the "They Came From Planet Rainbow Sparkles V" show.
Lots of very nifty small pieces - clutter for the shelf I am sure - expressing a strong cartoon influenced aesthetic. And since cartoons are not one thing only - not just Looney Tunes or Walt Disney or Anime, etc., there was a diverse range of styles. Very colorful and a lot of fun.
Of course I took pictures but not of the art. Some are of artists, some of artists' fiancés, some of people stopping by to enjoy the show and camaraderie, and photo of one of the proprietors. Of course I don't remember most of the names but I'll reach out to the gallery for help on this and update the posting when I hear back.
Among the people shown here there is a Kyle, a Sarah and a Frank.
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