When it comes to “progress” in Afghanistan, Steve is an optimist, I am a pessimist. But I think we can better grasp the problem by comparing and contrasing those two pieces, while keeping in mind some others. From Steve’s piece:

With respect to the latter, the American University of Kabul has reopened and has provided a program for Afghan women to continue their education with emphasis on English and business/management studies — a major opportunity for these women in the wake of the Taliban regime’s restrictions. Likewise, I would estimate that some 50% of the women in Kabul have shed their burkhas from my travels throughout the city.

In contrast, the widespread presence of war widows and orphans offers a less positive aspect of the effects of 30 years of conflict, especially since these women and children occupy the lowest rung of the social order. In fact, there are an estimated 70,000+ war widows in Kabul alone.

Fewer burkhas is great, but the lack of one doesn’t put food in your mouth. Likewise, American University students are likely to be from (what remains of) the Afghani middle and upper classes, those already in a position to take advantage of educational opportunities. They were never really “the worry.” It’s well and good that some women can go to school, but until the tens of thousands of widows and orphans are housed and fed, Afghansitan cannot be described as “stable.”

From the Registan link:

From the entire financial assistance that’s been given to Afghanistan, only 5 percent has been given to the Afghan government. Twelve percent of the funds have been given to the Afghan reconstruction trust fund established for Afghanistan. And we can withdraw money under certain conditions. The remaining 82 or 83 percent of the assistance has been spent outside the budget and control of the Afghan government. This is a problem.

Once again I ask, where the fuck is the money going? Billions have been spent “in” Afghanistan, and what the hell is there to show for it? Take a look at this map. From what I can tell, our taxdollars have paid for a dairy project in one province, a school for textile design in another, and a primary school for girls. And not much else. Meanwhile, our troops seem to be shooting civilians. As in “four women, five children, and one old man.” Something called the Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force reminds us of some rug dealers and business conferences…from 2006.

Where the fuck is the money going people? Democrats in Congress really need some to do goddamn oversight. Steve’s right to show us a glimpse inside how they choose teachers for the war college, but it seems to me the more important question has to do with what is not getting done.That we are paying for, nonetheless.