Corrupt leaders lose wars
The Kabulgovt does not enjoy a clean image. Fearing a win by the Taliban, President Karzai is suing for peace. America is wary.
WAR IS no joke. The commanders, the soldiers and above all the politicians, who control the purse strings and policy matters have to be dead serious about achieving the aims of war. To win a war or a counter-insurgency operation, the commanders and their troops must be on a high moral ground. To attain that they have to be clean. They should not only be honest but also appear to be so. Their public image should not have a stigma of corruption, financial or otherwise. Unfortunately, in Afghanistan both the political leadership and the military commanders do not enjoy a good reputation. There are many charges of financial corruption against the family of President Hamid Karzai. His brother who is the Governor of the sensitive southern province of Kandahar does not enjoy a good and clean reputation. Apparently the corrupt leaders would not be able to lead their army to victory. On the other hand, the Taliban has won the praise, as well as the fear-generated awe, of the common man. At least there are no charges of financial corruption against the commanders of the Taliban forces. Thus the Taliban portrays a clean image to the common man and naturally win their moral support. DRAWING PARALLEL It would be a good idea to draw a parallel with similar situations in other Asian countries. The most glaring example is that of the Civil War in China before 1st October 1949. The then Kuomintang government did not have a good and clean image in the perception of the common man.Their political leaders under generalssimo Chiang kai Shek and also military commanders made money under the table. Fake weapon system, fake medicines and adulteration in food items were just some of the complaints against corrupt officials and military commanders. On the other hand the Chinese Communist administration in the Liberated Areas gave a good and clean administration and won the hearts and minds of the common man. The soldiers and peasants enjoyed a good bon-homie. The Communists under Mao Tse-tung won the war and established a People's government. General Chiang had to flee to Formosa. Offering peace to Taliban The surest sign of situation slipping away and leadership losing control of battle is the peace feelers and desire on the part of political leadership to share power. Precisely that is the scenario in Afghanistan now. president Hamid Karzai is playing the ethnic card of pan-Pashtun rapprochment. His government would share power with the Taliban who are by and largely Pushtoons. The Haqqani group of rebels supported by Pakistan would also share power. America is now vary of this situation. President Obama and the Director of CIA feel that all is not well with these overtures of peace by the Kabul government. The corrupt politicians wish to stick to power with the help of Pakistan and Pakistan supported rebels. The situation is indeed grim and Americans must act fast and act now
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