WHY THE WEST BETS IT WRONG

Western perceptions of Afghanistan are influenced by its colonial past, with British colonial officers shaping the understanding of the country as a place of violence and exception. These depictions were reinforced in literature and poetry, perpetuating an orientalist view of Afghanistan. However, the reality is that Afghanistan has a rich history and contributions to civilization from figures like Rumi and Avicenna. Despite this, the West continues to view Afghanistan as a troubled land, with cliches and colonial tropes resurfacing after the Global War on Terror. The West's dominance in global politics has also colored perceptions, with colonial legacies shaping academia, journalism, and development projects. The fusion of military and humanitarian efforts further embedded Western experts in Afghanistan, often leading to patronizing and negative portrayals of Afghans. The Western analysts, aid workers, and security firms in Kabul played a significant role in framing Western policy, excluding meaningful Afghan input. Both the Bush and Biden administrations justified their interventions by claiming to provide aid and governance, but ultimately viewed Afghanistan through a lens of subordination.