AFGHAN WOMEN LEARNING TO READ: Josh Chafetz writes that this story suggests that the United States military may be the world’s foremost humanitarian institution.

UPDATE: Hmm. The lesson appears to be spreading:

Witnesses say a Jordanian woman ripped off her enveloping black cloak and veil — to reveal a traditional long dress that was nearly as enveloping — and punched and kicked into submission three young men who had been verbally harassing her.

The official Petra News Agency reported Sunday that shopkeepers and passers-by believe the unidentified woman must have had martial arts training. In Friday’s incident on the main street in Zarqa 13 miles north Amman, the three men were too shocked to react at first and ended up knocked to the ground, screaming in pain. They then scrambled up and fled.

The crowd cheered. What’s interesting is that this story was originally reported by the official news agency, suggesting that someone in Jordan wants word of it to get out. And why might that be? Hmm.