Oversight in Afghanistan
The violent reaction in Afghanistan to the burning of Islam’s holy book is another example of the difficulties the United States faces in withdrawing its troops and leaving behind a stable government.
Burned copies of the Koran were found in the trash, resulting in rage that led to repression, attacks against NATO soldiers, a suicide attempt and numerous Afghan and American deaths.
The result is a more complicated environment when, on the one hand, the military is intensely preparing Afghan forces for the upcoming U.S. troop withdrawal, while in the diplomatic realm, there are attempts to negotiate with the Taliban.
We think the burning is probably an oversight that has offended Muslim religious sensibilities. It is a mistake that merits an apology from the White House, given the perception that it might have been done on purpose. Diplomacy must predominate in these cases, turning a deaf ear to the combativeness Republican presidential candidates have expressed on this issue.
Unfortunately, the lengthy occupation and war against the Taliban have eroded the trust of Afghans in the U.S. This is particularly true because of attacks from unmanned drones and also from troops that have accidentally killed civilians. Apologizing for the deaths of innocents does not heal wounds.
We hope things calm down regarding this Koran incident, even if the Taliban is trying to make the most of it to gain popularity by defending the sullied Islamic honor.
The situation in Afghanistan is more complex than just an oversight with the holy book and apologies from President Obama. The tension in the region is on the surface as the U.S. troop withdrawal gets closer, and the challenge of leaving behind a stable government becomes complicated with explosions of violence like the one happening now.
