Abstract
Whatever Washington's expectations, President Hamid Karzai is certainly instituting what he has called "Afghan-style democracy". His inclusion in the Government of some individuals who had in the past been highly criticised as "warlords" might be prudent under present circumstances, but is double-edged. Will it pay off? Karzai, chosen in Afghanistan's landmark presidential election last October, is engaged in a very difficult and complex task of national reconstruction. Afghanistan has historically been a socially and politically divided polity, which partly contributed to the conflict and bloodshed that engulfed the country for 23 years before the US-led military campaign that began after September 11, 2001. The American intervention proved instrumental in dispersing the al-Qaeda network, toppling the theocratic regime of the Taliban and opening the way for the Karzai Administration to take over. But Afghanistan remained fragmented and awash with weapons, with many local power holders claiming control over various parts of the country. The country badly needed national unity, security and rebuilding.
Original language | English |
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Pages | 1pp |
No. | March 28, 2005 |
Specialist publication | The Sydney Morning Herald |
Publication status | Published - 2005 |