The dangers of historical comparisons in Afghanistan

Earlier this week we made a comparison between the Vietnam War and the current U.S. war in Afghanistan. One of our listeners responded with a rebuttal. Jonaid Sharif said we were

“comparing the Taliban ? vicious and medieval ? to the Viet Cong, who were fighting for progress and national liberation … The Viet Cong were supported by half of the world … I have yet to come across anyone who openly endorses the Taliban.”

Today we look at Afghanistan from an Afghan perspective. Jonaid Sharif is a professor at Paine College in Augusta, Ga., where he teaches Pashto language. He is himself Afghan-American. We’re also joined by Christine Fair, a professor at the Center for Peace and Security Studies at Georgetown University; and Lyse Doucet, BBC Correspondent in Kabul.