Piously Observing Ramadan

Western observers are crowing about how successful the election in Afghanistan has been, relatively speaking. Of course, everything is relative when it comes to such matters, in such geographies, with such backgrounds innocent of a history of the democratic process. And the feared Taliban offensive during the election itself simply did not materialize, although it has been agreed that some unfortunates did lose inked fingers.

The threat of which had been sufficiently effective to ensure a very low voter turnout, particularly in the Kandahar region, stronghold of the Taliban, who know what they want and it most certainly is not a Western-backed government instead of a home-grown fundamentalist Islamist government. The mullahs and their jihadist champions slavering to bring back their interpretation of theocratic rule abhor the presence of foreign elements.

But then, what country wouldn't, after all, resent the occupation of their land by foreign troops? And consider: this is precisely what the people of Afghanistan, a proud warrior people, have suffered throughout their history. The current situation is little different, other than for the fact that there is at least an international effort to encourage and support a made-in-Afghanistan-government.

And what better time, come to think of it, for dedicated jihadists to demonstrate their contempt for foreigners than during Ramadan, when they can re-dedicate themselves to the pursuit of jihad? Targeting United Nations offices and international aid agencies, and various international-led agencies occupied with reconstruction.

Killing also Afghan civilians, but the murder of innocents never has seemed to disturb the mindset of jihadists. Rather, those deaths represent victories. The civilian population, particularly outside of Kabul, is thought to be complicit with the occupation of foreign elements, and they are deserving of death.

As for the strikes against foreign military; the more the bombs destroy coalition soldiers from the international community, the fewer there are to protect the population from the ever-growing resurgence force of the Taliban, after all. That does serve to assist in the accomplishment of their divine mission.