Afghanistan Watch: Bridging the Expectations Gap in Afghanistan

Authors: George Davendorf, and Brian Grzelkowski
August 6, 2007

Summary:

In this op-ed, George Davendorf and Brian Grzelkowski -- part of a recent Mercy Corps delegation to Afghanistan -- argue that "the most serious threat to the fledgling Afghan state may be lurking in an unexpected place; not in the strife-ridden streets of Kandahar or the flourishing poppy fields of the countryside, but in the unfulfilled aspirations of average Afghan citizens."

Excerpt:

During our recent visit to Afghanistan as part of a Mercy Corps humanitarian delegation, we saw directly the challenges now confronting this fragile nation: an emboldened Taliban insurgency; a burgeoning narcotics trade; increased attacks on aid workers; weak governance; rampant corruption and mounting civilian casualties. But what struck us most was the growing sense of frustration that has settled over much of the population. 

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