Learning Afghanistan’s Lessons

By Phyllis Chesler

The country in which I was once held hostage so very long
ago is swiftly returning to the Middle Ages. It has done so many times before.
King Amanullah allowed women to remove their veils in the 1920s, a crime for
which he was forced into exile in Italy while his country was plunged by Habibullah
Kalakani into barbarism.

With the last American soldier now slated to leave Afghanistan
by the end of August, the Taliban are already re-instituting their
Saudi-style rules about women never being able to leave their homes naked-faced
or without a male minder. Broadcasts must be religious chants, intoned by men
only. Taliban violence against journalists has increased significantly.

Granted, the United States has
already spent too much blood and treasure in Afghanistan to justify our staying
any longer, and yet: What about the women? The children? The dissidents? The
gays? The inevitable ingathering of the terrorists?

As I've written before, the moment
the last Western military boot leaves Afghan soil, the Taliban will torch every
single shelter for battered women, burn down every schoolhouse for girls, shoot
on sight every female broadcaster, politician, police officer, teacher, and
physician. Women and girls will again be banished from public view, whether
hidden under burqas or kept indoors. Will stoning as a public sport recommence?
Will the Taliban practice of keeping underage boy sex slaves continue, but with
a vengeance? On our side, will every f...