[Stultis]

The second battalion of U.S. trained afghani regulars graduated last month and are now at work. Instilled with values of sacrifice, honor and professionalism, they are little by little bringing safety and security to their people:

[U.S. trained] Afghan Army Liberates Bamiyan [rule of law slowly being secured in Afghanistan]

Mohammad Sultan stood straight and tall at the Madar village checkpoint, watching for smugglers and weapons as residents came and went. Snow fell on his new national army uniform, but he didn’t mind.

For many soldiers it would be tedious, boring work, but for this 28-year-old, it was an extraordinary and happy moment.

At last he was doing what he had been trained to do: serve his country by trying to bring about stability. “I will go to any place when ordered,” he told IWPR proudly, “and will bring peace to the residents of our regions.”

[radu]

Thanks for the link, Stultis.

Hopefully with the help of our troops, and the efforts of our government and Afghanistan's, those people will be able to lead happy, healthy, productive lives. They've lived in poverty and torment far too long.

There's a long, bumpy road ahead for all but it may work out yet.