Winning the Peace in Afghanistan
Critics of U.S. plans for regime change in Iraq would do
well to take note of recent developments in the last
country where America routed an evil dictatorship -
Afghanistan.
Among the details revealed this week in a little noticed
report in the Boston Globe:
"A handful of new restaurants followed close behind the
swarm of international aid workers, diplomats, and
journalists that descended upon Kabul after the Taliban
were ousted in November 2001. Diners can pick from
Indian, Chinese, and Italian, or stop in for cappuccino
at the new Mustafa Cafe, housed in a guesthouse of the
same name run by an Afghan who returned from New
Jersey."
The Afghan hospitality industry still falls short in one
category: western style hotels. But the Globe noted:
"The Intercontinental, a popular hub for meetings and
dining, is also getting a face lift. In October, the
Dub"ai-based Al Yuqoub group bought a 15-year lease for
the hotel, pledging to invest $8 million in improvements
over 15 months to bring it to five-star level."
Other signs that civilization is suddenly blooming in
the one-time hideout of the late Osama bin Laden include
"a busy internet cafe" and one restaurant that has begun
to feature live music.
"There also are plans for a big hotel opposite the US
Embassy. The prospective investors, from the United
States and Turkey, are in talks with the Hyatt about
managing the hotel and are reportedly close to a deal,"
the paper adds.
Another intriguing development, reports Chicago
Sun-Times gossip maven Michael Sneed, is a plan by the
government of Afghanistan to sponsor a trade and
investment show in Chicago this summer.
Will handwringing Democrat ex-presidents and the
anti-American protesters they encourage admit they were
wrong when the first McDonalds opens up in Saddam
Hussein's gulag on the Tigris?
Don't hold your breath.
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