THE PASHTUN TRIBAL SYSTEM
The Pashtun Tribal System by Bernt Glatzer 2002 (chapter 10 of tribal studies text book)
A great description in this document of how the Pashtun think of themselves as one large extended family. There are divisions and levels of loyalty according to your place in the tribal "family". The paper shows me that co-opting and using the Pashtun tribal culture, honor and judicial systems is the only way to gain their trust, and certainly the only way to ever gain their alliance against those Pashtun renegades opposing our presence in Afghanistan to back democracy and the Karzai government. By understanding the Pashtun tribal system and befriending it, the Marines are further isolating those tribal factions that oppose democracy and the Karzai regime. The winner here is that somebody in our government has figured out what the one- system- fits- all Soviets never did. A strong and unified Pashtun people are the key to a united and nationalistic Afghan people. A strong and unified Pashtun people are not at war with their tribal "family" members, and through their preeminent strength, they are gracious in allowing minority rights that coincide with a unified Aghanistan.
posted by Midwest Jay @ 8:36 PM
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