Random Thoughts On A Hellhole

Phil Zabriskie returns from Afghanistan. He thinks out loud:

Absolutely no faith in this government, and a lingering sense of confusion about what exactly the US and the international community is doing here. Thoughts along the lines of, “the west could defeat the Taliban, but they do not, so they must want the Taliban here.” Dovetails with widespread speculation about who will run against Karzai in the August elections. This coincides with widespread dissatisfaction with Karzai, his administration, the perceived profiteering of his brothers–in construction, property, and other less savory facets of the economy–but little sense of who could prove a viable rival at the ballot.