Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Sunday that channeling aid past his government undermines efforts to make it more effective, identifying NATO's provincial reconstruction teams as one of his concerns.
Yes. Karzai is right. Bypassing his government does undermine efforts to make the central government more effective. But making the central government more effective is a losing battle given the corruption that will never be eradicated in Kabul. All we can do is minimize the effects of stealing at the center and get the aid to the locals. Out there, we are in a better position to see if the aid is being used for the intended purposes. At least if it is stolen there, we get more bang for the buck since the money is local and gives the locals reason to stick with us. Bad reasons, yes, but when the money doesn't even reach them they have no reason at all.
I've long held that we should bypass the central government when dealing with it is counter-productive. Karzai's cries of frustration are music to my ears.
