The United States took a realist approach when invading Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. The United States was seeking to eliminate their national security threat of terrorists acts by attacking and eliminating Al Queda, who they saw responsible for the attacks on September 11. As a result, the United States, along with Britain, used decisive military force to invade and destroy the Taliban. After removing the threat, the United States removed the majority of its troops which were then transported to Iraq. The remaining troops are continuing their fight against Al Queda and trying to capture Osama Bin Laden instead of trying to establish a democratic government.
Afghanistan is located at number 8 according to the website http://www.fundforpeace.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=229&Itemid=366 on the list of places most likely to become a failed state. After invading Afghanistan, the United States never made a full-hearted, prolonged attempt to establish a democratic government in Afghanistan, resulting in political turmoil. Had the United States actively sought to make Afghanistan a democracy, it could be argued that the United States was taking a liberal stance. However, the United States primary focus switched to Iraq following the completion of their main objective in Afghanistan and therefore their actions indicate a realist policy. The United States unilateral, with the exception of Britain, invasion is another indicator of a realist approach. While other nations have since joined in helping stabilize Afghanistan, their reasons for doing so are to ensure stability in the region.
While the United States had a large impact on Afghanistan from a military perspective, the United Nations has also intervened in the region to try and both aid and stabilize a fledgling Afghan government. The United Nations is taking a liberal approach,with some idealistic elements, in Afghanistan. On March 28th, 2002 the UN Security council passed resolution 1401 establishing the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) according to http://www.unama-afg.org/about/overview.htm. According to this website, there are “six main elements” composing UNAMA. They are:
providing political and strategic advice for the peace process; providing good offices; assisting Afghanistan’s government towards implementation of the Afghanistan Compact; promoting human rights; providing technical assistance; and continuing to manage all UN humanitarian relief, recovery, reconstruction and development activities in coordination with the government.
The Main actor in this example is an international organization, the United Nations. It is seeking to provide aid and help rebuild Afghanistan for the benefit of all nations. This approach varies significantly from the United States approach. Firstly, it has been conducted by the United Nations, they are seeking to rebuild the country, and the action being taken is meant to be beneficial to all nations.
In sum, the United States invaded Afghanistan with military force to eliminate a national threat, suggesting a realist approach. When the United Nations intervened, they did for more moral and ethical reasons which represented a more liberal approach.
Very good post. In fact, today the United States is acting in Afghanistan with NATO. I’ll be posting on this shortly on my blog.
Well done.