Afghanistan

    Afghanistan is a poor, impoverished nation, weakened by national instability and internal fighting between regional warlords. In recent history, the Taliban has shown the most promise for national strength and unification by displaying widespread success in stabilization. Being a primitive form of organization, the Taliban has in essence been hijacked by Al Queda, turning the Taliban it both into a more powerful and more extremist body control.

    Pakistan, in comparison is in a similar position. Although more developed and more democratic, the nation faces strong Taliban influence from the northern region of the state. It is on the Pakistan - Afghanistan border that Taliban warriors are able to almost freely pass back and forth between the two. The Pakistan's northeast lies the Kashmir border dispute. Since India has better relations with the United States, the Kashmir dispute further fragments the Pakistani people as pro and anti American forces are often within reach.

   The fragmentation of the people reflects in the Pakistani governmnet, often being paralyzed in issues concerning border control and curbing Taliban influence. Pakistan maintains these contradictions: it does not know whether it wants to fight the Taliban or side with them. In turn, this situation immobilizes the United States. No dedicated effort has yet been made to eradicate the lingering stench of Taliban fighter and a positive on southern Asia. Until the U.S. is able to focus by supplying significant troops, Afghanistan will not stand on its own two feet.