Winning the Hearts and Minds of the Afghan People
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The kids on the side of the street come up to you and speak the three phrases of English that they know well. “"Hello Mister!"” one shouts from his rickety bicycle “"How are you?!”" another says as he gives me the thumbs up sign. Another kid selling black market CD’s makes a simple request “"Water!"” The elders sit back and watch them, breaking in every now and then to keep them in line by shouting “"Burru!"” which means, simply, go away. The streets are bustling in Kabul. The shops along Chicken Street, a popular shopping area in town, are filled with goods ranging from ancient muskets to the famous Afghan carpet. It seems like a typical scene out of a movie about the Middle East, complete with busy bazaars and bustling activity. Burquas (traditional Afghan shroud) and beards pass us as we make our way through the masses. But there’s a new element in the Kabuls scenery. On this day, a stationery store just off Chicken...