Afghanistan to Close Private “Security” Firms
Everyone describes Afghanistan as primitive, savage, war-torn. But the country is taking one significant step forward: The Afghan government will be closing most of the private security firms in the country, including Blackwater.
Calling these trigger-happy dunces-on-steroids a “security firm” is like calling a Mafia hit man a liaison officer.
Considering that Afghanistan has long been considered one of the world’s wildest, most lawless countries, this is a great leap forward. Who knows, maybe someday a certain other, even more primitive country will take a similar step.
It doesn’t seem likely though. The above-mentioned unnamed backward country has an incredibly huge and ever-growing gap between its richest and poorest citizens. And that’s always the hallmark of a hopelessly decaying crumbling third world country.
Think this unnamed country will ever evolve?
Labels: Afghanistan Blackwater
posted by Tom Harper @ 4:16 PM
6 Comments:
I think we did evolve...a little bit, then sunk back into the mud and muck of whatever the hell it is we are now.
Bully for Afghanistan :)
Afghanistan doesn't need our high priced thugs, they have plenty of their own, at a cheaper price!
Erik
I suspect Karzai's move has something to do with being unable secure bribes, or big enough bribes, from the security companies.
The story on this in my local paper stressed that the security outfits are crucial to the operations of U.N. and other aid organizations. Those aid organizations are said to believe Afghan police and troops aren't ready to keep peace and order.
If things get bad enough for the aid people, they will leave. If that happens, the people will be much worse off and will have even less reason to value Karzai and his corruption-blighted and weak government.
This is a recipe for less stability, for giving the Taliban added advantage and for further delay in getting our troops out of there.
As much as I don't like the security outfits and don't think U.S. personnel and organizations should be using them instead of troops, I don't see Karzai's move as anything but dumb and damaging.
Bee: I think you're right; we evolved a little and then we backslid.
Erik: That's true, they probably can't afford Blackwater's high prices.
SW: I certainly don't accuse Karzai of having any sort of high motives or anything.
I don't think we should be draining our treasury in Afghanistan or any other war-torn country where we have no stake.
Mostly I just wanted to take another stab at Blackwater, who I've hated ever since I first heard of them in 2005 (enforcing martial law in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina).
Tom, I share your distaste for Blackwater/Xe. Maybe other security outfits, too, if they have conducted themselves as Xe has.
Our government could at any time replace private security with Marines, Army troops, even special forces, for guarding U.S. personnel and groups. That wouldn't do anything about the security situations of U.N., NATO and other organizations and personnel.
In a sense we have a stake in Afghanistan. The crucial factor is where the Afghan people are and what they will support. That consideration prompted much of my response. I didn't mean to knock your dislike of private security outfits, especially Xe.
SW: I'm definitely in favor of replacing private security firms with military personnel.
I want what's best for Afghanistan, but only they know what that is. When we sent troops there in late 2001, we had 2 specific objectives. One was accomplished right away (toppling the Taliban, even though they're back now with a vengeance). The other, capturing or killing bin Laden, forget it. He's either been dead since 2002 (my guess) or he's so well hidden, the #2 al Qaeda operative doesn't even know where he is.
I doubt if many Afghanis want us still occupying their country.
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