Afghanistan: A Fragile Peace

This documentary, shot in April 2004, illustrates the difficulties facing Afghanistan as it tries to transform itself into a civil and democratic society.The government program for disarmament of warlords and their soldiers has not been successful. These private militias and low level commanders continue to threaten the safety and security of rural Afghans, who are the vast majority of the population. Powerful warlords control most of the cities as well, with funds from the opium poppy harvest contributing to their strength. The weak central government controls only Kabul and survives by continuing the flow of foreign aid, keeping warlords in check through political deals and turning a blind eye to the opium trade on which the country’s economic development is now based.Despite these conditions, Afghans are putting great hope in the upcoming elections.