The Road to Autonomy

RE: After Push in Marja Largely Won, Marines Try to Win Trust (3/1/10)

To the Editor:

In his article, C.J. Shivers writes that, while the United States Army has taken the city of Marja from the Taliban, gaining the trust of its Afghani citizens may be their hardest battle yet. Clearly, the citizens of Afghanistan have endured a turbulent history: occupation by the Soviet Union, followed by the ruthless Taliban, and now they are at the mercy of the United States Army. The hostility of Afghani people seems justified, given their repeated subjugation by foreign and domestic conquerors alike. Certainly, the U.S. Army’s attempts at beneficence, including treating Afghani citizenry with increased respect and providing restitution for property damage, much remains to be done to restore their dignity and trust. The military’s admirable efforts to date are a step in the right direction to restoring trust of the Afghani citizenry.