To withdraw or not to withdraw

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

I heard an interview with a guy with an ONG making schools in Afghanistan, he claimed that he had more than 50 schools and none of them had been blown in the past year. The trick was that the community was involved in the process and they frequently told him that he didn't have to worry because if someone did something to him or the school they would 'deal' with those responsible.

There has to be an ownership of the project but also a level of empowerment, if the community isn't capable of protecting itself, things like that will not work. Again there has to be a balance between investment and basic security, although I completely agree that the lessons 'learned' at home have been forgotten once they get out of the plane. 

[goat starer]

can't help feeling that part of the issue in Afghanistan is that the military does not really think it is there to create a basic level of security.... In fact most people dont think we are there to do that... they think they are engaged in a combat operation to destroy Al Quaeda and the Taliban.

Our politicians seem terribly unclear about it as well. You cant really start to build a peace when you still think you are fighting a war.