Stubborn as Donkeys

The Americans in Afghanistan are ignorant. The word in Afghanistan is that they do not even know why the Taliban fights.

Knowledge of the enemy, as the ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu said, is essential to win a battle. But the enemy in Afghanistan is unknown, as is his motive.

Sweat

At a meeting place for caravans two thousand meters above sea level travelers jostle each other on an old carpet. The space that serves as a living room, dormitory and prayer room smells like fresh sweat, quinces and firewood from the samowar (tea machine).

And while Hamid, with hands smeared with engine oil and cracked lips, tries to forget about his long journey while telling the story about his life as a truck driver: spending ten days on terrible roads, sheer canyons and bad luck. Wali, on the other hand, tells the legend of the Bamiyan and the Buddhas who accompanied him for many years in his daydreams.

In this place for caravans other stories are also heard, other fragments of the Afghan epic. The legend about the king with a thousand slaves, drunk with lust, who showed his pride by hunting a gazelle chased by a falcon on his fist. When he got lost the wind lashed at his face and blew his hair up, like that of a dancing dervish, and he was eventually found by a poor shepherd. An angel replaced him on his throne and the dethroned king had to obey the angel until he understood wisdom, and he knew he had to be a man among men.

Legends and political debates alternate. The broad-shouldered tough truck driver says: “The Americans are lost in battle in Afghanistan and you know why?” Everybody knows but nobody says. He continues: “By their stubbornness. These Rambos are stubborn as donkeys. The only things they lack are long ears. In behavioral terms, they act like the two donkeys outside!” I miss these reckless Afghans with their witty observations.

Ignorant

“The Americans are ignorant; they do not even know why the Taliban fight. They don’t even know where Mullah Omar is.” A traveler with round glasses on his hawk nose interrupts him: “Does this Mullah exist at all?” A hubbub of sounds rises from the room, like a dance of words swirling through the air. The truck driver is silent, but his words resound through the room.

The political analysis of a truck driver that does not even have a primary school diploma to be framed. Intelligent in all his illiteracy. Indeed, the Americans are unaware of the motivation of their enemy. The Taliban have never fought for a religion. A southern Afghani expression reveals a lot: We only accept half of the Koran.

Rather they fight to preserve their conservative tribal traditions. Any change in their villages or living environment is seen as an interference of their culture and is considered an invasion. Saira Shah writes in her book Daughter of the Storyteller: “The Taliban substantiate their Islamic theories with the cultural values of the Pashtun ethnic group.” In the rest of Afghanistan there is an ancient tradition of tolerance.

Another part of the Sun Tzu dictum says: “When you’re ignorant of your enemy, but you know yourself, your chances of a win or a loss are equal .” Is it not advisable to increase the chance of victory?