AFGHANISTAN: GUARDED OPTIMISM

The resumes of the two candidates for President of Afghanistan are certainly impressive: Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah.  Now I have heard both candidates speak on the Charlie Rose Show.  I still remain impressive.  Both say they will sign the agreement on troops with the U.S.  both say they believe corruption in Afghanistan is a key issue.  Both say they will abide by the audit of the vote no matter who wins.  The "loser" will be the Prime Minister for two years, an advisory position but both say they abide by their agreement.  In the meantime they will make the system work.  They both will try to make some sort of accomodation with the "Religious right" (The Taliban) in their country.  Elsewhere I have read the religious right consititutes no more than 10 percent of the country.

So far so good, but breaking a system of corruption will not be easy and somehow absorbing the religious right will also be vary difficult.  But it looks like Afghanistan has two George Washingtons to run the country.  Unasked are questions about the "poppy trade," the main business of Afghanistan.  Ashraf Ghani does talk about the necessity of American aid in setting up business in the country.  This would seem to be an imperative.