Afghanistan must shed the myth of independence

„In reality, Afghans did not defeat any empire, as both the British and the Soviet empires were already in decline and in the process of disintegration. But Afghans could not let go of the myth and were instead encouraged to take pride in their country as the graveyard of empires. But Afghanistan remained a graveyard while the capitals of the former empires, Moscow and London, thrived and flourished after their so-called defeat by Afghans. The myth persisted even after the entire country had turned into a giant cemetery.

Afghan jihadi leaders still talk proudly about a nation that gives birth to independence-seeking martyrs. The myth is politically useful as it turns subversive rebels into heroes, thieving highwaymen into politicians. Ironically, international writers and journalists have also adopted the myth, perpetuating it by publishing books and articles about the graveyard of empires.

At times, it feels as if the whole world wants Afghanistan to be just that: a massive graveyard and symbolic two fingers to superpowers. That a country incapable of sustaining itself is further destroyed in the process seems to matter little. Neither does it seem to matter that those who destroy cannot rebuild and hence expect the population to live in ruins and feed themselves with the pride of a myth rather than actual food.

The uncomfortable truth is that Afghanistan has never been a truly independent country and has always relied on outside resources and expertise for survival. Historically, much of the country's limited wealth came through control of trade routes by local tribesmen who also acted as highwaymen, making travelling in Afghanistan a famously dangerous endeavour.”