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Don’t Plan Vacation in Kabul

The State Department wants you to know that Afghanistan isn't safe.

Bob Dreyfuss

May 25, 2010

File this under the Department of It-Looks-Like-Satire-But-It’s-Not:
 
I know it’s only boilerplate from the State Department, the kind of warning they issue all the time about trouble spots and violence-prone places. But—Afghanistan? Really? I think we know.
 
Here’s from State’s latest official Travel Warning:
 
“The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Afghanistan.  The security threat to all U.S. citizens in Afghanistan remains critical.   This supersedes the Travel Warning for Afghanistan issued July 23, 2009, to remind U.S. citizens of ongoing security risks, including kidnapping, and to include an email address for the consular section at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. …
 
“No part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence, and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts, either targeted or random, against American and other Western nationals at any time.
 
“Riots and incidents of civil disturbance can and do occur, often without warning.  U.S. citizens should avoid rallies and demonstrations; even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
 
“Carjackings, robberies, and violent crime remain a problem.  …
 
“The U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is limited, particularly for those persons outside the capital.”
Duly noted.
 

 

Bob DreyfussBob Dreyfuss, a Nation contributing editor, is an independent investigative journalist who specializes in politics and national security.


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