Iraq and Afghanistan

In the last few days reports have reached us that severe fighting has broken out along the Afghan border (South Waziristan) between the traditional Pashtun tribal groups and a large group of Uzbek jihadists who have moved in from Central Asia in the last few years. The Uzbeks have a force of as many as 2000 fighters; they are said to form the backbone of the al-Qaeda forces in the area. For years now the Pashtuns have supported them for religious reasons, because they brought money with them from Central Asia, and because of the tribals' legendary support for guests. But the guests have outstayed their welcome. They are said to have killed 200 tribal elders in the last few years. So far the Pashtuns seem to have been successful in their campaign to rid themselves of theit guests. These battles seem to reinforce the argument of Rory Stewart (see Wednesday post) that in Afghanistan less may be more. Many problems would be best left to the locals leaders to sort out. They do not so much support islamic jihad and the taliban as they hate and detest foreigners who try to tell them what to do.