Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnGoat
I ever knew Hashmat Ghani is the leader of the Kuchis , nor Ashraf's brother. That is something I would be looking into the Linkage behind it all.
In your observations in running into them. Any play out to being real, or just the typically Afghan. Just as any one running in politics in America is. Oh yeah TWO FACED.
Love to hear your insights.
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Cheers.....
To be honest.....I only know just enough to be dangerous to myself and others....so be warned!
My personal interaction, and the interaction of my two good mates, with the candidates was limited.
With the exception of meeting with Habiba Surabi(female former governor of Bamyan), I just happened to be at the right place/time to develop some very superficial anecdotal opinions about the rest.
I would view Hashmat as a quite savvy businessman, and while he doesn't have the most flattering things to say about some Americans who possess influence/control over policy in the region without the wisdom to back it up, I think his role as a political powerbroker is net positive for the US/west.
I also get the sense he operates as aboveboard as possible in light of the local environment.
It sounds like Ashraf may be entering an alliance with Dostum...another powerbroker for the Tajiks.
If Kuchis and Tajiks were aligned as a single voting block I could imagine decent polling numbers, but I'd guess not enough to make it on the very short list.
But it would be of great value in doing backchannel deals throwing support behind runoff election candidates.
If it were me.....I'd less prefer being President than a kingmaker in the shadows.
What do the kingmakers want to achieve for their ethnic voting blocks and for themselves?
In closing, I only know enough to know I don't know much at all when it comes to Afghan politics.
And I hope when I'm up there briefly around the elections that the crazy is kept to a minimum.
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