Abstract

Editorials

With the rapid collapse of the Taliban, the world's focus must now shift to the creation of a viable government and relief of the sufferings of the Afghan people. Military victory is worthless unless the urgent humanitarian needs of the populace are quickly addressed and a transitional government supported by an international security force is put in place. Hunger and suffering pose a collateral threat to internal stability. As many as 5 million people face dire food shortages, and 130,000 refugees live in makeshift camps in Pakistan. Washington and the United Nations must secure cooperation from relief agencies in Uzbekistan and other food transit nations as well as insure rapid and safe distribution of food, shelter, warm clothing and medicine inside Afghanistan.