Thanks sarnian

Then I wouldn't need to field stupid suggestions....:)

Planta

@ Plantagenet.

Thanks Pete. Please don't misunderstand me. I don't expect people to read what I suggest becuase I think they will then agree with me. It is just that a large percentage of the comments on the OLO fora are often based on opinions. I think it was Keynes who said that one was entitled to one's own opinions but not one's own facts. One is perfectly free to reach a separate or different conclusion based on those facts. I just happen to think that we actually advance the argument in a more fruitful way if we look at the world as it is rather than what one thinks or hopes that it is. Hence my suggested reading.

In the case of Afghanistan for example, an abysmal ignorance about their recent history seems to be the norm. The plainly wrong chronology presented in our media (including sadly OLO) ignores the complex history and presents a one dimensional view.

As I have said before, the consequences of basing our foreign policy on such nonsense is both dangerous and manifestly in my view not in Australia's long term interests.

As Labor and the Coalition tend to sing from the same song sheet on foreign policy there is also dearth of intelligent alternative viewpoints heard.

Hi James

I initially suspected your book list encouragement was didactic but that was fleeting.

I agree with you that too many comments stem from a narrow ideological basis (America bad, Muslims bad, etc). An internet mythology born of herd-like hits and easily available comment podiums is not the same as independent study.

Outside of Bruce Haigh and Amin Saikal (my former Lecturer and Tutor) there are few Australian commenters with first-hand experience of things Afghani. I rely on long-term independent US, Indian friends and some Australians (brief residents) for perceptions on the failed counter-insurgency.

Our foreign policy being largely based on CIA, US State Dept and US DoD perceptions is a sad comment on our national autonomy.

For we Australians it is also unfortunately less about facts than about pro US alliance politics and Obama’s re-election campaign (may November roll on quickly ;).

So I think we are in agreement and respect your sincerity about reading books – see part of my booklist here http://www.blogger.com/profile/02624742078679760819 on http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.au/ . While I try to read the latest books I also get new ideas from old books.

Regards

Pete

"Unfortunately their is nothing we can do about it"

I disagree... my opinion is that we should stand at the doorway and let those that want to get out of that oppressive system free access to the World and let those who want to stay and throw rocks at each other and blow each other up stay. Forcing those who want out to stay is akin to forcing a woman to stay in an abusive relationship and saying to her to help herself, while putting up a wall around the house as a solution. Of course in Australia, any attempt to get here will see you decried as some sort of demon spawn and not a human suffering incredible hardship resorting to any means of escape.

How do we pay for that, well I would reduce the Defence budget by 50% and use that $10Billion a year to help out. I figure better to help out then pretending invasion is "helping".

Why ? The current way of dealing with people living in what are euphemistically know as "shitholes" is either to ignore it eg DR Congo etal or invade under spurious reasons spending Billions eg Iraq and Afghanistan and soon Iran.

I know, politically it will never float, too many conservatives want to protect the status quo or have vested interest in perpetuating the war machine.

As to the authors rhetorical question about what will happen, I am not sure but can only presume it will degenerate in a vortex of violence that will suck in the innocent indiscriminately, which is the picture she is trying to get the reader to paint by asking the question.

Maybe Afghanistan will start to find it's way out, maybe like Cambodia (where I am currently), post UNTAC ? Of course, the Khmer Rouge didn't profess to have religion on their side, that was their "weakness". Abusive Islamic regimes learned from such folly and now have God with them <insert sarcastic smiley>