28 Oct Elequent testiment to Afghani futility

For anyone who still needs persuading, the Michael Hoh’s letter of resignation as the US State Department’s Senior Civilian Representative in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, bears reading.

As the Atlantic’s James Fallows points out:

[R]esignations on principle are vanishingly rare in U.S. government practice. It’s much easier to keep your head down, protect your career prospects, and when it’s over say that you had been against [failed policy xx or yy] all along. Apart from the merits of his argument, Hoh deserves respect for taking this step so forthrightly. Each person who does so creates an example for others to reflect upon. […]

The United States [and Canada] entered Afghanistan — properly and with every moral and practical justification — to disrupt, punish, and kill groups that had planned the 9/11 attacks. It is now in a mess in Afghanistan largely because of the crucial misjudgment nearly eight years ago to shift effort and attention to Saddam Hussein and Iraq.