By itself, the escalation of violence in Afghanistan already guarantees an increased American commitment. Aside from violence, other extenuating circumstances call for an increase in American presence in Afghanistan.

Corruption in the Karzai government is rampant. According to a 2006 survey from Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA), corruption in Afghanistan is currently higher than at any time during Taliban or Soviet rule. The same IWA survey also stated that Afghani citizens believe that one out of every two government officials is corrupt; of the Afghani surveyed by IWA, 60% report having to pay a bribe to a government official. 

The United States Agency of International Development also conducted a survey in Afghanistan, but one that focused on the nearly $8 billion USAID has sent to Afghanistan. Of that $8 billion, only 10% has been funneled through the Karzai government mostly due to fears of corruption and immensely inefficient and incompetent government. USAID places more faith and aid in the hands of the local warlords than in the hands of the Karzai government.

Corruption issue aside, Afghanistan has tremendous problems. Afghanistan has a 28% adult literacy rate. Afghanistan’s third world infrastructure and economy also present colossal hurdles. The sole industry is the production of heroin and according to the CIA, Afghanistan produces 93% of world supply and earlier this year, a leaked intelligence report fingered Karzai’s brother as a major narcotics trafficker. 

Elections in Afghanistan suffer incredibly low voter turnout (due to violence) and are swathed with fraud. The government in Kabul is limited in power and influence. Outside of Kabul, the government holds very little sway and if America were to withdraw, the government would quickly fall. In addition, the Taliban is resurging and our friendship with Pakistan is souring. Afghanistan is a quagmire that requires the utmost attention if America wishes to ever leave that region of the world.

If success in Afghanistan is the goal, then the first and most necessary step towards success in Afghanistan is coalition forces re-seizing control of all government functions from the Karzai government. The Karzai government is corrupt and is unable to rid itself of corruption. It is impossible to help the country of Afghanistan progress when corruption prevents agencies from sending aid to the Afghani people through the central government. Relying on warlords to deliver aid is an unacceptable option.

Destroying the central government might be wildly unpopular in Afghanistan and could potentially increase violence against American troops, but the current government is so corrupted and powerless that there is no other path if success is the goal of the Afghanistan effort. According to a recent Al-Jazeera English report, one thing that benefits America is that its popularity in the country is higher than that of the hated Taliban. American forces may be able to pull off this maneuver without driving too many Afghans into the arms of the Taliban.

Related posts:

1. The U.S. Must Withdrawal its Forces
2. Hoping to Deter Damages, Campus Police Increase Presence in Dorms
3. Obama’s War of Necessity
4. The War in Afghanistan Has No End in Sight