Despite billions of dollars spent and thousands of civilians and soldiers lost their lives, the scope of West’s influence has remained debatable. With huge visible changes in the language and style of Afghan youngsters, there is not much to celebrate about the spawn of Western values in foreign culture-proof Afghan society.

A report released by New York Times on July 1, 2013 can partially be authentic regarding the limited influence of our western allies. The report found out that Afghan new generation are bound to their society’s conservative ways, especially when it comes to women’s rights, noticing that wearing jeans and having Western haircut could not characterize a modern and progressive generation. Rather such glamorous appearances may have veiled a very conservative attitude and mentality.

 “Attempts to alter women’s roles in society remain controversial among the younger generation, perhaps the starkest example of the West’s limited influence as coalition forces prepare to withdraw next year”, the report added. However, days later, the same News Agency published another piece saying that Afghan youths are far complicated to be judged on the basis of what they say, bringing the popularity of an American TV show as a reason.  

These two reports indeed put the readers in confusion about the actual scope of West’s influence in the country. Almost a century ago, democratic movement commenced by Afghan popular King, Mr. Amanullah Khan, yet the history is riddled with failures of the move. His government and subsequent regimes who have tried to spearhead the modernization always sparked tantamount resistance which ultimately led to their collapse.

But what about the destiny of the current system? Will it be doomed to the destiny of its fellows in the history? The answer of these two questions are as complicated as the Afghans youths’ behavior because they depend on numbers of ifs and if nots. Meanwhile there is one certain thing: the West’s sacrifices have not yield the required results.

With such an enormous amount of money spent for the restoration of peace and institutionalization of democracy, the foreign military withdrawal has sparked serious concerns among people and our allies about a possible backward progress. Because Afghan officials time and again have proved that they are not much committed to democracy and human rights. Issues like appointment of new Human Rights Commissioners who do not have the required knowledge, experience and commitment to human rights principles.

In addition, with the scheduled timing for military withdrawal which necessarily might led to decline of financial support, the anti-democratic forces with the support of neighboring and regional countries will become bolder in restricting the sphere for maneuver of democracy and human rights. Presently, many media outlets are directly funded by countries who seek their influence in curbing the spread of western values. There are signs revealing that these countries with their small donation in comparison to enormous amount of money of the West are doing far better. They have well-established network and their activities indeed have lasting and deep effects on Afghans’ traditions and mentality. In another word, it seems that the West is losing the battle of the ongoing soft-war. As the New York Times report quoted a man who told that he might have killed his sister if she put on similar cloth, pointing to a passerby girl on the street, part of a new generation are wearing some western style-- however I even doubt it because girls do not wear jeans without skirts--- but the society bears inappropriate view toward them.

For Afghans the ideal woman is a woman who is covered from top to toe and a cliché housewife. Such women are the model and symbol of dignity and virtuousness that everybody should learn from them, even if the reality is different. I do not dispute that such mentality has developed during recent years what I am saying is this that West’s sacrifices and efforts have not given the due results which otherwise could change such mentality.

It is hard to accept but the root cause of the problem lies with the wrong policies of the Western countries. They invested on the wrong guys and went after those who may never come to a conclusion that modern values are not designed or a plot to make Afghans to change give up their religion. In another word, they chased influential leaders who get the money only and only in exchange for not to announce Jihad against foreign military presence. They do not believe that values such as democracy and human rights are something that should be embraced because they ensure human dignity. To modern values propagated by West are against Islamic fundamental values. So, no matter how much flow into their pockets from a Western address, they will not work for institutionalization of democracy and human rights.

Therefore, to change Afghan society, Western countries should reassess their policies. They need to open the door of dialogue and discourse with those, particularly youngsters, who themselves believe in democracy and human right but have no support to be flagship for fundamental ground change. Considering the establishment of power structures, it can be easy to understand this layer of the society has rare presence. Even those who, to some extent known as Western technocrats, have rose to power only in alliance with traditional power holders. Both Afghan democrats and West should commence a constructive dialogue before it is too late. No matter if you change the entire life of a person, as far as he thinks that killing you uplifts his spiritual status in the front of Allah Almighty, he will not live in peace with you though your money may seduce him to announce in a truce. For a real change, this mentality and this thinking system. It may not occur unless individuals and institutions get the support who grown up under the very culture but have reached to a conclusion that they were wrong. They have the commitment to change the society because of their belief meanwhile own no resources to spearhead them. This is the vacuum that can be and should be filled with the right policies of the international community.