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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (5779)	8/24/2003 4:02:09 AM
From: D. Long	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793640

Yup. Afghanistan used to be very clan centered socially, with the elders of the tribe, clan, or village being authorative. As I understand it, the Soviet invasion changed the society into more of a Big Man arrangement, with the mujahadeen leaders that emerged (often arising out of prominent Afghan families) coalescing power and authority around themselves. Now it is the warlord that dispenses with family patronage. Until such men have the normal, civilized, peaceable means of corruption at their disposal (heh!), they'll keep their hordes of gun toting ethnics. Our job is to strengthen the central government so shooting each other is unnecessary, and they can get on with the civilized way of living for the rich and powerful - selling their contacts and favors! ;) Derek