Quote:
Originally Posted by Cactus
The Afghan National Army has been reportedly recruiting some multiple-ethnicity battalions, as well as some recruits drawn on a limited conscription. IMHO this may accelerate the dissolution of the tribal-centric attitudes if the battalions are well-trained, well-taken-care-of, well-officered and well-used. It wil certainly appeal to the youth drawn from poorer tribes, families with low tribal standing, historically oppressed people (like Hazaras) etc. to know that they will have same opportunities as those deemed their betters by accident of birth.
|
I agree with that. In fact I made a similar argument regarding the FC. My contention was that despite all the criticism heaped upon it - the lack of equipment, training, pay, benefits etc. the force has still held together remarkably well in the face of fierce militant assaults and the atrocities (torture, videotaped beheadings and executions) and casualties inflicted upon them.
There have been a few hundred desertions, but insignificant taking into account the overall force. That the force has held together despite these odds indicates that there already is a strong sense of identity and loyalty to an entity beyond merely the Tribe.
Or it may be that the loyalty to tribe and faith is still paramount, but the organization of the FC has allowed for it understand the danger posed by an ideology or organization (Taliban), working against the interests of the State (Pakistan, Pakistan supported Tribal Systems), to the Tribe and faith as they know it.
If the force can be expanded, better trained, better equipped and provided with better pay and benefits, with its own officer schools and academies (rather than secondment from the Pakistan Army), I see that loyalty to State over Tribe only increasing and strengthening, as loyalty to State provides the community with tangible benefits over being "autonomous".