"Afghanistan is one of the world’s poorest countries, but it is not without prospects."

That is not an invitation to let Mr. Karzai off the hook. Mr. Obama needs to keep pressing him to fire the corrupt officials and cronies who have soured millions of Afghans on their own government. The Afghan leader is expert at ignoring such wise counsel, but he does so at his own peril.

The United Nations has enough to do to help strengthen Afghanistan’s political institutions, oversee elections (a new Parliament will be chosen in September) and ensure that humanitarian relief gets where it is needed.

The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank could all do a better job of monitoring, auditing and coordinating the billions of dollars of international aid flowing into Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is one of the world’s poorest countries, but it is not without prospects. It is believed to have huge mineral wealth, including copper, iron ore and rare earth minerals like lithium, used in making electric cars. Its agricultural areas can be more than self-sufficient if irrigation canals are rebuilt and access provided. Its carpets and textiles have a worldwide market.

With less corruption, better economic management and more focused international effort, it does not have to remain poor. It could begin financing its government and its further development from its own resources.

Editorial: Mr. Karzai Might Even Agree
«افغانستان غریب، اما بدون دورنمای انکشافی نمی باشد»