Is the West losing the Pashtuns?

After 9/11, Afghans welcomed the international community with open arms. Many were optimistic and hoped for a better tomorrow.

Yet seven years later, the promised 'Marshal Plan' has not yet been delivered and the relationship with the West is now at a turning point as innocent Afghans are killed by indiscriminate US-led air raids.

Tribal elders have also accused Coalition Forces of disrespecting local culture and centuries-old customs.

The sad fact is that the West has yet to comprehend two important realities: First, the Pashtuns are the foremost victims of terrorism and extremism and that they have extended their hand of friendship to the West to defeat this common enemy.

For the last three decades, the Pashtun population has suffered immensely.

There is a growing perception among the Pashtuns that the West is here to avenge the attack on the Twin Towers and their targets are only the Pashtuns.

In addition, there is a belief that the West in only interested in Afghanistan for its long-term strategic influence in the region at the expense of the Afghan people.
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