Karzai Works to Remain President of Afghanistan

Both tension and hope are running high in the capitol of Afghanistan, Kabul. The tension, doled out by the Taliban, and the hope, carried on the shoulders of the Afghan people. This election is one of the most important events in Afghan history.

There has been violence reported at the capitol. A missile strike on two strategically significant government infrastructure buildings is adding to the tension. The real test will be to see how large the turnout is, compared to the population.

The fact that people can only vote at designated sites, makes them vulnerable targets. The constant threats of physical harm or even death are realities that all people in Afghanistan face every single day. Imagine the bravery of the people who are going to the polls, knowing very well that the Taliban opposes the idea, even to the point of death.

Karzai is not the solution to the problem. He made a name for himself the same way everyone else does in that part of the world, as a warlord. The whole culture in and of that particular geographical area have always been warriors for one strongman or another.

The next person that takes the reins is going to have a tough time hanging on to anything without the cooperation of United States military. The Afghanistan war is taking place on, between, and under mountains. This is quite possibly going to be our toughest challenge since Vietnam.

The outcome of this election will be a great barometer to see where the Afghan people stand as far as supporting the Taliban. Many fear that the election will not be representative of the population, because the terrain is so mountainous that some will not be able to vote at all.

Even the thought of an election in that country was a foreign one. For whom do you cast your vote? Is it the men who bring you food, or the man with an AK? Is that a hard question? For the Afghan people, you can bet your ass it is.