Tars
10-30-2009, 07:38 AM
In fact, we should look at this approach as the foundation for U.S. foreign relations with all developing countries for the foreseeable future. The path to true U.S. homeland security.
By Jim Wallis - Huffington Post
(https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/afghanistan-a-whole-new-a_b_338518.html)
Excerpt:
"So here is the new approach. Lead with what works -- development. Yes, effective development needs security, and when you massively intervene in a country as much as the U.S. has in Afghanistan, you can't responsibly just walk away -- as has tragically happened to this country too many times before. But we should lead with development now (https://blog.sojo.net/2009/10/22/dear-president-obama-an-open-letter-on-afghanistan/), and only provide the security necessary to protect the strategic rebuilding of the country that is urgently needed -- and that kind of security might better attract the international involvement we so desperately need in Afghanistan, even from Arab and Muslim countries. And here is an idea of how to do that. Bring to the White House the international organizations who know Afghanistan well because they have been there so long -- such as World Vision, Mercy Corps, Catholic Relief Services, Oxfam, Tearfund, Christian Aid, Church World Service -- and many others. Ask them what U.S. policy would best work, and what kind of security they would need to really do the kind of development in Afghanistan that is most needed.
Let the non-military strategies lead the way, rather than the other way around, which often just makes aid and development work another weapon of war; but then provide the security needed for that work, and make it as international as possible. Also bring in some of the religious and other nonprofit leaders (https://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/09/bombs-wont-liberate-the-women-of-afghanistan/) from the Obama Advisory Council and others, to focus on the deeply ethical and moral issues that are at stake in our decisions about future policy in Afghanistan -- legitimately protecting Americans from further terrorism, defending women from the Taliban, developing a diplomatic surge, genuinely supporting democracy, and saving innocent lives from the collateral damage of war -- to name a few."
Read more at: Jim Wallis: Afghanistan: A Whole New Approach (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/afghanistan-a-whole-new-a_b_338518.html)
By Jim Wallis - Huffington Post
(https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/afghanistan-a-whole-new-a_b_338518.html)
Excerpt:
"So here is the new approach. Lead with what works -- development. Yes, effective development needs security, and when you massively intervene in a country as much as the U.S. has in Afghanistan, you can't responsibly just walk away -- as has tragically happened to this country too many times before. But we should lead with development now (https://blog.sojo.net/2009/10/22/dear-president-obama-an-open-letter-on-afghanistan/), and only provide the security necessary to protect the strategic rebuilding of the country that is urgently needed -- and that kind of security might better attract the international involvement we so desperately need in Afghanistan, even from Arab and Muslim countries. And here is an idea of how to do that. Bring to the White House the international organizations who know Afghanistan well because they have been there so long -- such as World Vision, Mercy Corps, Catholic Relief Services, Oxfam, Tearfund, Christian Aid, Church World Service -- and many others. Ask them what U.S. policy would best work, and what kind of security they would need to really do the kind of development in Afghanistan that is most needed.
Let the non-military strategies lead the way, rather than the other way around, which often just makes aid and development work another weapon of war; but then provide the security needed for that work, and make it as international as possible. Also bring in some of the religious and other nonprofit leaders (https://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/09/bombs-wont-liberate-the-women-of-afghanistan/) from the Obama Advisory Council and others, to focus on the deeply ethical and moral issues that are at stake in our decisions about future policy in Afghanistan -- legitimately protecting Americans from further terrorism, defending women from the Taliban, developing a diplomatic surge, genuinely supporting democracy, and saving innocent lives from the collateral damage of war -- to name a few."
Read more at: Jim Wallis: Afghanistan: A Whole New Approach (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/afghanistan-a-whole-new-a_b_338518.html)