Progress beyond grim headlines in South Asia

By Arthur I. Cyr

The news from South Asia is grim in the most visible headlines and developments. A U.S. Department of Defense spokesman declares publicly that elements of Pakistan government intelligence have been actively aiding terrorist groups.

A U.S. helicopter inadvertently kills Pakistani soldiers, and in retaliation Pakistan halts supply truck shipments into Afghanistan.

Prolific political reporter Bob Woodward has just produced his first book on President Obama at war, following no less than four volumes on the Iraq war during the two terms of George W. Bush.

"Obama's Wars'' describes administration division over Afghanistan, with considerable bickering and political sniping within the Washington corridors of power.

A former U.N. official and others describe President Hamid Karzai as emotionally unstable, with manic-depressive mood swings. Complicated relations with this touchy leader of a nation in long-term turmoil cannot be helped by publicizing such personal opinions.

There is no doubt that corruption and subversion plague national leadership structures in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The former is not really a conventional nation-state at all, but rather a collection of literally feudal baronies only loosely affiliated with the capital city of Kabul.

Both countries have been flagged by global watchdog Transparency International as particularly pervaded with government corruption.

Nevertheless, and despite the negative tone of much media commentary, there are also notably encouraging developments. These are generally long-term in nature and potential, operating beneath current headlines. They do not guarantee destruction of al-Qaida or the Taliban, but do provide very substantial leverage against these dangerous groups.

First, the Pakistan military is notably pro-Western, with strong historic ties to Britain as well as the U.S., and the intelligence service in fact has demonstrated effectiveness in combating terrorists.

Early this year, the Taliban's Afghanistan provincial leaders Mullah Abdul Salam of Kunduz and Mullah Mir Mohammed of Baghlan, along with top Taliban military commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, were all arrested in Pakistan.

Second, the military efforts in both countries are truly international, and have been since they began immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Both the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are committed.

Third, there is substantial long-term emphasis on the economic and humanitarian dimensions of Afghanistan. The Group of Eight major industrial nations are devoting massive financial resources to combating the narcotics traffic and poverty in the country, focused on areas where these problems are most severe. A G8 coordinating body oversees approximately $4 billion in aid.

Very substantial drug production in Afghanistan represents a special challenge. Here useful lessons are provided by the Richard Nixon administration. President Nixon and associates creatively used product licensing to encourage Turkish farmers to sell crops to pharmaceutical companies for legal medicinal purposes.

Drug production moved elsewhere, including Afghanistan, but illegal supplies from Turkey dried up. South Asia Envoy Richard Holbrooke has advocated applying this approach to Afghanistan.

Fourth, the Taliban inspires great fear but not support among the wider population. This contrasts markedly with success of the revolutionary insurgent organizations during the French and American Vietnam wars.

Fifth, recent national elections represent tremendous progress in feudal and decentralized Afghan society. In particular, the new participation of women is extremely important. Other developing nations demonstrate dramatically that direct involvement of women as citizens, voters and candidates brings a wealth of positive changes.

We are still a long way from defeat in Afghanistan or Pakistan.

Arthur I. Cyr is Clausen distinguished professor at Carthage College. He is also a columnist for Scripps Howard News Service (www.scrippsnews.com). He can be reached at acyr(at)carthage.edu.