I've just returned from Afghanistan (working with NGOs, not the military).
Unsurprisingly, the upcoming US elections were a regular topic of conversation. I was struck by one comment in particular which arose in nearly every exchange. It was repeated by both Afghans and expatriates: Afghans want Bush to win.
They are quite frankly afraid that Kerry will not take the rebuilding of Afghanistan seriously. I was floored by this. But of course, the Democrats have not given the Afghans any indication to the contrary. This oversight is a grave mistake.
Perhaps Afghanistan, and US policy there, does not matter much for the campaign here in the States. But the world is also watching this election.
Kerry, supported by the Democratic Party, should be doing everything he can to regain international goodwill before he gets into office, otherwise he will find himself wasting vital time in the early months of his Presidency. Kerry needs to be sending the message to our allies - old, new, and potential - that the US will be serious about its commitments once again and that global security will again be the focus of policy.
Furthermore, making sure that Afghans understand they remain an ally - an ally we will continue to support in the reconstruction of their country and building of their nation - will make working with them on our mutual interests far more effective. Our countries both remain concerned with the Taliban and al Qaeda, of course. We are also both concerned with, among other things, the international poppy trade, the world's access to Central Asian natural gas, and China's continuing emergence as a global power.
Two things need to happen. One, Kerry needs to put Afghanistan front and center into a speech. He needs to highlight the diversion by the Bush Administration of funds and troops away from Afghanistan. In this speech he also needs to promise a greater commitment to security throughout the country. Two, some Democratic Congressmen need to go on a junket and actually talk to leading, patriotic Afghans to explain that Kerry will not abandon them. We must support the many people in Afghanistan's government and among the country's people who have the best interests of Afghanistan at heart. As events have shown, that is one crucial way in which we can support the best interests of the US as well.