I don’t consider you an enemy in the slightest, but I do disagree that your role there has been helpful. In no way do I doubt you’ve seen horrible things, and abhor those horrible things myself (I don’t think I need to have seen them to be horrified by them). But in a way it’s exactly those horrible things that I want to engage with as part of this blog. The question is not “do we do anything about these horrible things?” but “what do we do about these horrible things?” And I think that what the AYPVs and others are doing is vastly superior to taking up arms.

After all, you say that these are brutal people – well even if that were true, how are we helping them by brutalising them further?

I do think that what I do (in trying to end the war) is not just for those in Afghanistan, but also for soldiers and people like you who have to see horrible things and do horrific things you shouldn’t be asked to do. I simply don’t think that anyone is served or helped by perpetuating the cycles of violent retribution, which is clearly what we are caught up in in Afghanistan. You may well disagree with me about that, but there is our starting point.

I am, however, open to learning from your experiences. I also wonder if you have the opportunity to learn from people like me who have experienced the country without a gun in hand. Generally speaking people who have nothing to fear are more likely to tell the truth.

Warmly,
Simon

I have been in Afghanistan almost 7 years now in various roles. Soon, I also will be departing. The overwhelming anti western sentiment the current Afghan administration has adopted, combined with unchecked corruption has myself, and many others with a gutfull. It’s a shame, pockets of Afghanistan really shine with what they have accomplished.

Most of my time has been spent in the southern areas, generally very high threat, and what others would consider dangerous. When people back home ask me what it’s like to do some medical work in a village, or dealing with locals in general, I always just tell them that you have to look to the farmers. The farmers just want to be left alone, they aren’t interested in a central government, just their village, their crops, and their family. They don’t want to fight.

I do have to take a bit of exception to some of your comments from one of your postings. You mentioned steroid type physiques, and arrogant postures of the PSC members at the airport. I am a PSC member, and having lost close friends, seen horrible suffering, I believe your negative statements are quite out of line. It’s easy to get caught up in peace and understanding when you are working with a civil population that welcomes you, it is quite another to be actively engaged by insurgents on a regular basis, and to see the results strung out in front of you.
Just a reminder that I pass along quite often. This country is at war, it has been at war since Ghengis Khan, and Alexander the great, when the westerners leave, there will continue to be war, these are an agressive people. You only have to live amongst them in the outer areas to realize this. Another comment about the military members thick necks with ID’s strung around them…again, is exceptionally negative, and really throws a wrench into what you are trying to accomplish in your blog. Please stick to what you have accomplished, and are seeing being accomplished, not negative comments that degrade those who continually sacrifice for a mission that they have been ordered to do.
I would like to suggest that perhaps along with your time in Afghanistan, you visit a military recuperation facility in any country that is participating in the war. Please look into the eyes of the soldiers, that have had their bodies torn apart, and are trying to recover to lead some semblance of a normal life. Once you’ve seen that first hand, then please review the comments you have put into your blog.

We all have our place in the great “Stan”, and we all take away our own focus on what we’ve done, seen, and experienced. I have absolutely seen the worst of the worst….young boys continually raped, ears and noses cut off to send a message to a village, women set fire, continuous, and constant savagery. Again, until you’ve experienced it, seen the terrible end results of these acts, please think twice about your personal beliefs of who is the enemy, and in how you relay this to the rest of the world.

Regards,
PG

Just wanted to add that The Garden at the End of the World film has raised over $40,000 for Mahboba’s Promise in the last couple of years. If people buy a copy of the DVD then they can use it as a fund raising tool for MP. Show friends, organise community or corporate screenings. More info here:

http://www.TheGardenAtTheEndOfTheWorld.Info

Kabul is about 6000ft above sea level I believe – sun is very strong, and the air thinner than I’m used to. Well, thick with pollution, but not much oxygen!

Did you see Malalai Joya at all? Do you know where she is at the moment? I suppose she’d want to keep her whereabouts under wraps.

I love your stunning photos and great new video footage. There’s something about the light and air. Is Kabul very high above sea level?

All the media I saw at least appeared to be Afghan, although sometimes it’s difficult to tell. Afghans come in all shapes and sizes – we even saw an albino Afghan today.