It has been five years since US-led coalition forces invaded Afghanistan to capture al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect of the September 11 attacks. The subsequent occupation to maintain "permanent freedom" has not yet ensured safety and stability.
The spread of suicide attacks to the capital Kabul and the NATO's recent demand for additional troops indicates that little progress has been made so far.
In the country where only six percent of the entire population has access to electricity, and 13 percent to potable water, the production of opium poppy has dramatically increased over the last five years.
The major reason behind the instability and insecurity in the country is reportedly Taliban, which was overthrown in 2001.
Even though the US administration asserts that the democratic process has been at work since the Taliban regime was toppled, the government holds only Kabul under control.
Positive news on Afghanistan is generally limited to the capital city, and in many provinces, people are still unsafe.
Speaking to Newsweek magazine, the US-Afghani Joint Forces Commander Gen. Karl Eikenderr noted that the coalition forces are not sufficient to deal with Taliban, and that the financial resources allocated to the reconstruction of Afghanistan are inadequate.
Where the road ends Taliban control begins
Recalling that the only way to save Afghan people from Taliban and al-Qaeda is to offer them better life conditions, the commander stresses the growing need for additional resources to construct roads, supply electricity, and reinforce the local administration and the judiciary.
Pointing out the difficulty to maintain stability without constructing the infrastructure, Eikenberr also states that Taliban control begins where the road ends.
Taliban militants, who were able to carry out an attack to the US Embassy in Kabul last month, have killed 337 coalition troops (278 American) over the last five years.
In addition, many suicide attacks have been carried out with the support of al-Qaeda militants.
This year, more than 90 suicide attacks were carried out, killing 3,000, mostly civilians.
It has been reported that another obstacle before stability is the inability to form a police force, and uncontrollable domestic forces.
NATO authorities recall that Taliban members earn more than five dollars a day, twice as much as an Afghan National Army member.
Lack of local policemen has led the government to allow regional leaders to form their private armies.
However, these armies are often accused of violating human rights.
One very striking development since the fall of Taliban is the significant growth of opium poppy production.
Afghanistan is the main drug supplier of the whole world.
Nearly 85 percent of the world's opium poppy is cultivated in the country.
This year, 6,100 tones of opium poppy were produced, and the areas of cultivated lands continue to expand.
A U.N. report shows that one third of Afghanistan's total revenue comes from drug trafficking.
Experts assert that the ration is actually higher.
The report stresses that the drug revenue goes to Taliban members and local barons, and encourages political corruption.
Source: Zaman
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