Commentary

The Hermit Kings- by Greg Strid

The Hermit Kings

Preisdent Hamid Karzai and President Bush met earlier
this week to determine who was more isolated and
unpopular among their respective populations. It was
a draw.

Both leaders rarely set foot outside of the safe,
bubble-like atmospheres that are provided by their
capitol cities. But, it is rumored that they actually
did discuss some of the pressing issues in the continuing
war on terror.  Apparently, they were equally focused
on what they should say in order to feed the hungry
news cameras that invaded Mr. Bush’s private property
(which is considered by many to be the White House).
Both hermit kings want desperately to reverse the widely
held belief that neither one is doing anything, except,
of course, polluting the public airwaves with nonsensical
clichés and platitudes.

Unfortunately, it was not all back-slapping for a job well
ignored. Mr. Karzai ruffled some of his host’s feathers
when he characterized Iran as a “helper” in a fluffy CNN
interview over the weekend. The Iranians have sent relief
workers to assist the throngs of unfortunate rural dwellers
in Afghanistan, but according to American officials, they
are sending weapons in as well. The Iranians are already
turning the petri dish of democracy that is Iraq into a
punch bowl of violence and mayhem; and Bush cannot
have them jeopardize the first country that he invaded
and then ignored.

Poor President Karzai, he is faced with an exploding
opium trade- with all the guns, added corruption and
violence it brings, a new and improved Taliban nipping
at his ankles, excessive incompetence and corruption
within his own government, and let us not forget, a
rejuvenated Al Qaeda- the master terrorist thugs who
ignited this global battle for male dominance nearly
six years ago.

The alarming aspect of their disagreement regarding
the role of Iran in Afghanistan is that the American
focus will shift away from the areas that need attention
the most. The Taliban and Al Qaeda represent the most
serious threats to American security interests. Both are
given safe havens, and many would say support, from
Pakistan- our supposed ally in this brutal, yet visionless
struggle.  If Mr. Bush chooses to shine the spotlight on
Iranian activities in Afghanistan, instead of addressing
the support of terrorist groups that operate within its
borders (with the blessing of our main ally next door),
the situation will deteriorate further. The Iranians are,
no doubt, acting in a menacing way, but the blind eye
turned toward Pakistan will undoubtedly leave us black
and blue.

© Greg Strid 2007

© 2007 Splendid Marbles.