Afghans have voted for change, but it will come only if the U.S. stays the course

摘要

Afghanistan is emerging from medieval chaos. The country is on the front end of creating an organized, law-based civil state. During a visit to Afghanistan in August, I saw dramatic, positive changes from my last in-country visit in July 2004. The Taliban era was a national nightmare for the Afghan people. Millions were driven into exile. Hundreds of thousands were murdered. Years of civil war following the expulsion of the Soviets destroyed the national infrastructure.