We have some good thinkers here and I am interested in opinions.

The French President said in a White House press conference today that we must oversee the formation of a modern government for Afghanistan.

Do we have the right or obligation to dictate a modern government for that country? I have read quite a bit about Afghanistan recently and it seem that they do not want a democractic system. The system they seem to prefer is a loose confederation of tribal leaders that are not chosen by popular vote. They aquire the position by wealth, power and birthright. The Afghan seem to feel that is the way things should be.

Obviously, we would all like to see a government that would bring them into the community of nations and set an example for other backward countries. This would certainly serve our interests. Are our interests so important that we are right to drag them into the 21st century or should we just leave them alone when this is over. (humanitarian aid excepted)