To the Editor:
I read the article “Iran Is Seeking More Influence in Afghanistan” with a wry smile. Does Iran really think that road and construction projects, a rail line, and anti-drug efforts are going to help them win support in Afghanistan? As a mature world power, the U.S. government has a far more sensible plan to win support from the Afghani people:
1. Destroy infrastructure via air war. Continue to strafe the occasional wedding party long after victory has been declared.
2. Pay assorted warlords to announce that they’ve become good guys now.
3. Whittle away meager rebuilding funds on profits for private contractors.
4. Let the legitimate economy languish while the drug trade flourishes.
5. Forget country exists, except when the dashing Hamid Karzai models a flowing cape for American photojournalists.
How could Iran think they can beat us at this game by actually helping to rebuild the country?
