Image: Buddhas of Bamiyan – before and after the Taliban
Author: D. Duffy
The current debacle in Afghanistan will elicit buckets of (printer’s) ink, but more to the point, buckets of blood. So why should I add to this “wise after the act” avalanche of commentary. Those who would say, “well, if I had been there, I would have done it differently.”
My only excuse is my involvement in “Western Heritage Australia.” We have faith in Western civilisation, its value, its mandate, and its destiny.
That half of the Afghan population who are women might have a particular reason to dread a renewed Taliban regime in their country as it would deprive them of every single advantage gained since 2001. Civilisation, as we see it, means the freedom to seek and achieve one’s potential. The Taliban are enemies of that civilisation.
They proved this beyond all doubt, when in 2001 they dynamited the “Buddhas of Bamiyan.” They were 2000 years old and belonged to the world!
So that is my excuse.
I will not dwell on the geopolitical side of things. The obvious advantage now gained by China, Russia, and Iran through this “post American” power vacuum. That is obvious.
But when, in the Second World War, we fought the Nazi regime, we did not negotiate with them, and then leave them on the field in good order. We annihilated them and their top leadership was brought before a war crimes court. Those found guilty of serious crimes against humanity were hanged by the neck until they were dead (Nuremberg 1946).
The Taliban have proved their fanatical dedication and resilience — as did the Nazis.
To squander human lives in a 20-year “holding operation” is not what we did in the war against the Nazis.
