Editorial: Afghanistan's main concerns

Since the ouster of the Taleban, Afghanistan has faced many problems, and there is still instability in many parts of the country. Many issues remain to be resolved, and the picture suggests that Afghanistan may be reverting to being a failed state. But a recent survey showed that the majority of Afghans are in favour of the direction the country is taking. No matter what their problems, they prefer the current administration to the Taleban. This is significant when we consider that the majority of respondents said they had significant problems in their own lives. Sixty percent said they had no electricity in their homes. Seven out 10 Afghan adults have had no more than an elementary education, and half of them have household incomes of just 500 US dollars a year. It does not take much of a spark to inflame public opinion when the basic elements of life - food, shelter and jobs – are so uncertain. What do people need? “A clean and accountable government, food on the table, jobs,” says a report by a Kabul think tank. When people don’t have even those basic amenities, the report argues, their faith in government declines. On the other hand, if - God forbid - Afghanistan is declared to be a failed state, then the international community will bear more responsibility for this than the country’s own government.