Looks like we will be leaving Afghanistan soon. In all likelihood, some deal will be done with the Taliban and various of the regional warlords. The “government” will be left to fare for itself – its bailiwick extends hardly beyond the capital; president Karzai is often referred to as “the mayor of Kabul”. The “fight against terrorism” is moving towards north Africa.
The first “Anglo-Afghan” war was that of 1839-1842. The excuse then was to shore up the region against possible interference from Tsarist Russia. It was felt that Russia may use Afghanistan as a passageway to India – a prized British “possession” at the time. So British and Indian forces invaded and occupied Kabul, installing a stooge Shah, only to be kicked out, ignominiously, and after very many deaths, a few years later.
No one likes to have their country occupied by foreign forces – even when it is said to be, “in their own interests”, or for some definition of a wider good cause.
A new book has been written about this war. There is a good review of it in the Economist here. Even though the Economist avowedly favours imperialist action by the “international community” the tenor of the review makes it clear that the author is drawing sharp lessons from the past.
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