Only Afghans will achieve the Afghanistan they desire

The lessons of history - in Ireland and further afield - show that true self-determination and nation-building is achieved from within but much of the commentary around recent events in Afghanistan indicate many in the West are still unable to grasp that reality, argues Dolan O'Hagan.

U.S. soldiers stand guard along a perimeter at the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Picture: AP Photo/Shekib Rahmani

AN invading force finally succumbs and withdraws its military and economic support.

The departure of its armed forces and the underlying support for existing state infrastructure quickly leave a vacuum.