Vanguard Magazine

M MENTORING (right) is the Roto 0 logistics mentor to the Kabul Military Major Graham M. Longhurst Training Centre, leading a team of 8 Canadian's and 21 Coalition logisticians providing advice and support to the Afghan training system in Kabul. FOR WANT OF A NAIL: Logistics and the ANA MCpl Rory Wilson and MCpl France Morin I Advising the ANA. Photos: t is extremely doubtful that any coalition soldier deployed to Afghanistan has not been asked at some time by a relative or friend: "What is going to happen there? Will Afghanistan make it?" I know among my Canadian colleagues, the question has of- ten been asked and remains a topic of intense interest even for those of us observing the developments up close here in Kabul. It has been 10 years since the ousting of the Taliban. In an- other 10 years, what will the headlines read? "Afghans succeeded against all odds" or "Despite decades of help, Afghans remain mired in the Dark Ages." Whether one's outlook follows the former or the latter depends largely on what one is measuring against. If one is inclined to contrast Afghanistan's progress against our quality of life, then the pessimism of the second headline will dominate. But if one puts the progress into the context of Afghanistan's history, there is plenty of room for optimism. Consider that until the nation fell under the grip of the Tali- ban, it was one of the more progressive Islamic nations. This was especially true from 1933-1973 during the reign of its last king, Zahir Shah, who not only tolerated, but encouraged the incor- poration of many western lifestyles. It is really only the draconian 40 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012 www.vanguardcanada.com throwback of the Taliban's tyranny upon a generation from the early 1990s until late 2001 that has caused the world to view the nation in terms of the Dark Ages. Many in Afghanistan recall those more relaxed eras and long to return to the path toward modernization. In reality, that is the true mission of the international commu- nity and coalition forces – helping to re-establish the building blocks for a bright new future. At the same time, we also know the place to which the road paved with good intentions can lead, which is why the original question of Afghanistan's future remains an open one. Coalition forces and the international community have come to help train future leaders who, with our help, have extended the rope from which the nation may climb from the abyss. Given the terror of their recent past and the periodic security breaches, it is understandable that many Afghans remain reluctant to grasp on. It can be discouraging when it appears many have picked up the rope but are reluctant to move forward, even with our encourage- ment. Indeed, it requires a kind of faith in those we advise that enough brave Afghans will to pick up the rope, move forward and lead the rest to the bright future that they seek.

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