Afghanistan: Our 51st State?

It does not take a sitting member on the Council of Foreign Relations to understand that the future of democratic stability and Al Qaeda resistance in the country of Afghanistan is shaky at best. After nine years of constant toil and loss of life, the western Asian nation holds a newer president, yet still a man who is unwilling to abandon the treachery of forces as ignominious to the West as the Taliban and other terrorist groups. So poor are the country's future hopes for lasting peace that some are even suggesting to leave forces within its borders for decades before it finally reaches a stabilized position of government and social distribution.

As unpopular as the presentation may be, the National Alliance Foundation is willing to stand by a new plan for Middle Eastern structuring which offers to solve the issue of Afghanistan's collapse with the departure of American soldiers: the declaration of the country as a protected American territory, or even the 51st state.

Cries of imperialism aside, the move would certainly render many long term benefits to both America and its new territory through the processes of state protection and economic stability. America would gain a solid foothold in the central east area from which to conduct special operations and place permanent military bases, successfully dissuading belligerents from launching random strikes which would land directly on the country's new soil. For their part, the Afghanis would gain more jobs, better educational systems, a government positions including a national guard to help prevent further attacks from becoming successful.

Also, Afghanistan's new status would cut federal spending tremendously, as the cost of waging war in such a zone would be alleviated by the province's condition, as well as additional tax revenues. With the addition of American companies, the nation-state would grow, serving as a beneficial model of democracy and free enterprise for the rest of the Muslim world to follow suite.

Perhaps most importantly of all, the annexation of Afghanistan would allow Americans to become closer to Muslims and end unnecessary disputes regarding stereotypes or misunderstandings between the two general cultures. For as long as the distance remains among the two groups, it will be dauntingly problematic to achieve peace in a region in which our nation is not fully and totally trusted to do what is right at all times.

Success in the Middle East is less about a single moment and more about long-term progress. After the many crusades of ancient years, chaos still managed to rein supreme, overruling those who fought and believed in tolerance and everlasting peace. If we are to make right what has forever been done wrong, it will take a painful but courageous decision such as this; a movement which shall be decried at first, but embraced by the people in later years.


Michael Veramendi

National Alliance Vice President for Foreign Issues