Sample Essay
Even with recent, significant improvements to the national education system following the establishment of the Interim Authority, the figures on lagging student enrollment, high rates of attrition, and adult illiteracy demonstrate that the country’s education system has long been sacrificed to other national and security concerns.
Sample Essay
The global economy and the depth of technological innovation have transcended national boundaries more swiftly and effectively (Reuter, 2006). But in order for meaningful exchanges across societies to occur, it is incumbent on those who wish to work in other cultures (or with members of other cultures) to develop competence in managing those interactions.
Sample Essay
McGee (2008) cautioned that working in Muslim countries like Afghanistan, U.S. personnel must maintain an understanding that the U.S. does not seek to “transform” cultures or to make their belief systems compatible with America’s belief system. He noted that while the goal of the U.S. is to “spread democratic ideals” it is not, nor should it be, an effort to transplant American culture and values or to impose our religion(s) on the Muslim world (p. 21). He stated that if America and its NATO allies are to succeed in their nation-building efforts in Afghanistan and throughout the region, “we cannot simply dismiss those elements of culture and civilization with which we disagree” (p. 22). Rather, he argued for the potential to build bridges of meaning across the cultures to identify shared objectives in the realms of education and economic improvement.
Sample Essay
In a review of the effectiveness of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) — teams of U.S. soldiers working with U.S. civilian and Afghan advisors — in helping to reconstruct Afghanistan, McNerney (2005-2006) noted with some incredulity that anecdotal evidence of Afghans’ improved attitudes toward U.S. military and civilian personnel was offered as the primary proof of Afghan satisfaction with U.S. presence.