A British Army brigadier recently admitted what we said long ago on the pages of this website: a military victory over the Taliban was “neither feasible nor supportable”. Neither side is winning and this is pushing the more realistic and serious minded strategists of capital to look at other solutions, a deal of some kind. Meanwhile the ordinary people continue to suffer.
On June 13th, Taliban fighters launched a large-scale raid on Kandahar prison. Nearly
1,200 prisoners, including 400 Taliban insurgents, were freed. Taliban forces
then captured 7 towns and villages in the Arghandab region of Kandahar province. Although NATO forces
subsequently regained control, these events highlight the real situation in Afghanistan,
one where the Taliban are getting stronger, not weaker.
We are making available to our readers an article written by Engels on Afghanistan 150 years ago. In spite of the years that have passed the article is still relevant today. The imperialists did not understand the situation in Afghanistan then as they continue not to understand it today.
Up until recently, while Iraq
was viewed as a quagmire, Afghanistan
was seen as a relatively successful part of George Bush’s “War on Terror.” Now,
even this silver lining is beginning to disappear.
The media in the West insist that the war in Afghanistan is
against "terrorists", but a closer look shows a people resisting imperialist
aggression. The country has been brought close to barbarism, but there is still
potential for revolutionary developments.
Recent rioting in Kabul after
a US
military vehicle collided with civilian vehicles killing dozens has highlighted
once again the dilemma facing the imperialists. Resentment at the presence of
foreign troops is growing among the people as Taliban activities also spread.
Join us!