Civil Rights in Afghanistan: The Military is Not the Solution

Civil Rights in Afghanistan: The Military is Not the Solution

Once the 'other' war, the American conflict in Afghanistan is now the nation's focus. The New York Times released a report last week declaring counter-insurgency, the strategy launched under President Bush and carried into today's administration, a failure in the eyes of high-ranking military officials and noting the military's move away from counter-insurgency towards targeted assassinations of Taliban leaders, adding to the voices implying concern with the current actions in Afghanistan and providing tangible evidence to back up Americans who are growing increasingly disenchanted with the war.

The Obama Administration already has a 2011 deadline to leave Afghanistan, and it seems as though they will stick to it. Yet, even as Americans become very anti-war, reports like a recent Newsweek cover featuring 'the girl with no nose', a young Afghan woman who had been legally maimed for leaving an arranged marriage, have raised concerns that have been growing for the future of people's rights- especially those of women- if America leaves now. Women in Afghanistan's lives have improved lately, but they are still so far from equality that it is inhumane. Considering the way the US has been involved in Afghanistan, America has a responsibility and a moral obligation to ensure the safety of and promote the equality of Afghan women.
So although America's time as a military presence in Afghanistan may be reaching its end, a heavy diplomatic influence can both secure America's national interests and safety as well as encourage progress for Afghan women's rights, especially if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acts as the face of America in Afghanistan. Ms. Clinton has a unique ability and opportunity to both pressure the Afghan government into providing and inspire the Afghan women to work for women's rights, along with the diplomatic tools she possesses to attempt to reduce violence against women, something the American military was never really able to do. If, as it seems with the rejection of counter-insurgency, the military is unable to to carry out the traditionally civilian roles of nation-building and education that counter-insurgency requires, then allow the State Department to take over operations in Afghanistan and act as a diplomatic force promoting equality and women's rights.

[Photo credit: The Guardian]