Over the weekend impassioned protesters rallied in Washington, D.C., to demonstrate against the United States’ involvement in Iraq. The rhetoric of the presidential candidates, both Democratic and Republican, has and continues to become increasingly heated over the issue. In recent years, the war in Iraq has occupied a considerable portion of the media’s bandwidth. In many instances other pertinent issues have been overshadowed by the attention in this arena.

Take, for example, the American presence in Afghanistan. The Taliban have exploited our preoccupation with Iraq, regrouping and reestablishing themselves as a predominant insurgent force. In addition to sponsoring terrorism, they have successfully deteriorated the regional quality of life.

It has been reported that the Taliban produces an astonishing 92 percent of the world’s illegal opium supply. The proceeds from these black market transactions are funneled into the pockets of al-Qaida operatives and other fundamentalist organizations. Profits have also been used to bribe and influence local politicians and tribal lords. As it is suspected that some Afghani officials are tainted by this corruption, bureaucrats are often reluctant to cooperate with the United States in regards to destroying poppy fields. Furthermore, the poppy trade has forced native peoples into serfdom, tending to hectares upon hectares of poppy fields.

Because so much time has elapsed without substantive action, the Afghani economy, as well as the Taliban, has become largely reliant on these profits. An abrupt extermination of poppy fields would result in a catastrophic blow to the Afghani market and would endanger a considerable portion of the population already indebted to drug lords.

There are no ideal alternatives to handling the crisis in Afghanistan in this late stage. If America reassigns troops from Iraq to Afghanistan, it threatens to spread itself too thin, applying a great deal of strain to the military. If we raze the poppy fields, we threaten an already indigent population with further hardship. If we do nothing at all, this money will continue to subsidize terrorist activities in Afghanistan and across its borders.

What is apparent, though, is the need for a broadening of peripheral vision in respect to foreign policy; it is essential to cite rogue states before problematic conditions escalate beyond control. Troops need only be dispatched to foreign lands after an extensive evaluation and analysis of all relevant conditions and variables have been considered. Too often this is not effectuated and serious repercussions ensue, making situations far more challenging to resolve later on. Very clear, definitive goals and specific time tables are needed from the onset before engaging in any military and political actions.