The bugle has sounded...

Profiles in Obscurity: 

Hamid Karzai

by Tony DeCarvalho

Who is this guy, anyway?

He is a man with a Masters in Political Science.  A man who has helped establish the previous two Afghanistan governments.  A man with ties to both the Afghani aristocracy and America.  A man born into one of the most powerful tribes in his native country.

Without a doubt, Hamid Karzai was at the right place, at the right time.

Hamid, with his connections to former King Mohammed Zahir Shah, established himself early on as a front-runner for the position of leader of Afghanistan.

After the September 11th attacks, Hamid and another prominent anti-Taliban leader, Abdul Haq, both snuck into Afghanistan ... with the intention of rallying the tribal factions against Mullar Omar and his illegitimate government.  Hamid Karzai survived.  Abdul Haq, on the other hand, was executed by the Taliban.

Hamid cheated death, negotiated with warlords, received backing from the U.S., and on December 22nd, became the Interim Prime Minister of Afghanistan.

"I will be Chancellor...."

Much like the fictional Emperor Palpatine, who rose to power on the basis of ending corruption and establishing peace, I believe Mr. Karzai's intentions are not pure.  Also, like Palpatine, the proof is not there -- this writer just has a bad feeling about all this.

Palpatine came from Naboo, a relatively small part of the universe, almost the equivalent of Afghanistan in our world.  The Emperor took hold of a situation that caught the attention of the galaxy, and rose to power -- much like Mr. Karzai has done.

And there's something about Mr. Karzai's over-the-top, symbolic tribal garb that wreaks of potential fascism.  Don't believe me?  The Nazis were big on symbols, too. 

And didn't Hitler rise to power after Germany had been devastated by war?

I know -- this proves nothing.  The truth is, Mr. Karzai is well-loved by his people.  With worldwide backing and sympathy, Hamid Karzai will have the financial support necessary to rebuild the country.  Mr. Karzai may achieve great things for his people.