Older opium outlook...

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Image from RFI (France)

Interesting insights into the Afghanistan government's (AKA The Taliban) successful ban on opium production. William Byrd [Link to article] writing at The United States Institute of Peace [About] says "The ban is not a counter-narcotics victory and will have negative economic and humanitarian consequences, potentially leading to a refugee crisis." 

This isn't the first time; the previous successful ban was in 2000/01 (and we all know what happened just afterwards and Helmand is 'by far Afghanistan's largest opium-producing province'...complete coincidence though). 

Banning opium production sounds like it is a noble cause right, especially as "Unlike the Taliban's previous opium ban, the current ban encompasses trade and processing of opiates, not just poppy cultivation." BUT the cultivated and harvest bumper crop from last year is not only exempted from destruction but also the trade of it can carry on. That said it does mean they are aware that bankrupting much of the rural population isn't a good thing either, so again, they've learnt from last time! 

Also, the noble cause is further tainted by the possibility that it is an economic ruse to restrict supply to allow the market price to rise and they can cash in on their large stock (super simplified and not wholly accurate, as discussed in links below). 

The article sheds more light on the whole situation and is definitely worth a read, with many references and info from David Mansfield reports at Alcis, ("Truly Unprecedented") and the Chapter 'Repositioning a Pariah Regime' from Mansfield's book A State Built on Sand is excellent [PDF] 

The war/s, COVID crises and intermittently closed borders cause -and have caused- much hardship over the years (you don't say) and 'although numerous eradication programmes have been underway for several years' (from picture link), Afghanistan has continued to be the world's main producer of opium (over 80% of total), so any ban is very likely to be temporary...ahem.

Older opium outlook...

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Image from RFI (France)

Interesting insights into the Afghanistan government's (AKA The Taliban) successful ban on opium production. William Byrd [Link to article] writing at The United States Institute of Peace [About] says "The ban is not a counter-narcotics victory and will have negative economic and humanitarian consequences, potentially leading to a refugee crisis." 

This isn't the first time; the previous successful ban was in 2000/01 (and we all know what happened just afterwards and Helmand is 'by far Afghanistan's largest opium-producing province'...complete coincidence though). 

Banning opium production sounds like it is a noble cause right, especially as "Unlike the Taliban's previous opium ban, the current ban encompasses trade and processing of opiates, not just poppy cultivation." BUT the cultivated and harvest bumper crop from last year is not only exempted from destruction but also the trade of it can carry on. That said it does mean they are aware that bankrupting much of the rural population isn't a good thing either, so again, they've learnt from last time! 

Also, the noble cause is further tainted by the possibility that it is an economic ruse to restrict supply to allow the market price to rise and they can cash in on their large stock (super simplified and not wholly accurate, as discussed in links below). 

The article sheds more light on the whole situation and is definitely worth a read, with many references and info from David Mansfield reports at Alcis, ("Truly Unprecedented") and the Chapter 'Repositioning a Pariah Regime' from Mansfield's book A State Built on Sand is excellent [PDF] 

The war/s, COVID crises and intermittently closed borders cause -and have caused- much hardship over the years (you don't say) and 'although numerous eradication programmes have been underway for several years' (from picture link), Afghanistan has continued to be the world's main producer of opium (over 80% of total), so any ban is very likely to be temporary...ahem.

Odd ones out...

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I'm guessing that all these items have at some stage been confiscated! Saves laughing at the costumes (or voting!) I guess.

Odd ones out...

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I'm guessing that all these items have at some stage been confiscated! Saves laughing at the costumes (or voting!) I guess.

Obvious oppression...

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Another excellent post from Raedwald this morning about UK opinions on a burka ban: "The ban would enjoy wider support if it were not portrayed as a racist assault on Moslems rather than a measure to ensure equity, justice and fairness."

"The Hijab and Chadoor (1 and 2 above) are really no different to a nun's wimple - or to the sight of all women in a catholic church wearing headscarves to cover their hair, a sight I remember well from youth. However, it is the Niqab and the Burka (3 and 4) that cause real problems.

What is the biggest cohort of unemployed persons in Britain? Moslem women. The unemployment rate - and therefore poverty, disadvantage, poor health, disease, deprivation and exclusion - amongst Moslem women is sky-high."...




Interestingly - from the Telegraph link in Raedwald's post - the poll findings were almost along Brexit lines: "The only age group to oppose a ban was the 18-24-year-olds, while all others were in favour, with the oldest 65+ group backing the prohibition by an overwhelming 78 per cent to 12".  Yet another reason to keep those under 25 years old from being allowed to vote. :-)

Obvious oppression...

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Another excellent post from Raedwald this morning about UK opinions on a burka ban: "The ban would enjoy wider support if it were not portrayed as a racist assault on Moslems rather than a measure to ensure equity, justice and fairness."

"The Hijab and Chadoor (1 and 2 above) are really no different to a nun's wimple - or to the sight of all women in a catholic church wearing headscarves to cover their hair, a sight I remember well from youth. However, it is the Niqab and the Burka (3 and 4) that cause real problems. What is the biggest cohort of unemployed persons in Britain? Moslem women. The unemployment rate - and therefore poverty, disadvantage, poor health, disease, deprivation and exclusion - amongst Moslem women is sky-high."...

Interestingly - from the Telegraph link in Raedwald's post - the poll findings were almost along Brexit lines: "The only age group to oppose a ban was the 18-24-year-olds, while all others were in favour, with the oldest 65+ group backing the prohibition by an overwhelming 78 per cent to 12".  Yet another reason to keep those under 25 years old from being allowed to vote. :-)