https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2008/10/03/doomed/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usTue, 09 Jun 2026 23:30:34 -0400<![CDATA[A story in the Telegraph says the French have leaked a report saying the British Ambassador to Afghanistan believes the NATO mission is doomed because the Karzai government is terminally corrupt and its existence is only being prolonged by foreign help.  Corruption undoubtedly exists &#8212; as it exists in Pakistan, Mexico, Venezuela and practically every Third World Country, including the African states where France has troops. But if Afghanistan is no different from any other Third World country, what&#8217;s bothering the British ambassador, at least according to the French? The logical answer is that NATO presence makes things different. Corruption in the Third World is ordinary: but linking it to a Western military presence makes it a problem.]]>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:35:37 -0400<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2008/10/03/doomed-n186190