Ending Afghan Corruption Could Be A Difficult Task, Says Expert

President Barack Obama made his secret trip to Afghanistan Sunday with the goal of motivating Afghan President Hamid Karzai to stamp out corruption within his government. However, according to James Phillips, the Senior Research Fellow for Middle Eastern Affairs at the Heritage Foundation, this goal may be harder to achieve than it seems.

“The U.S. government has pressed for a stronger Inspector General to be added within the Afghan government,” Phillips told Talk Radio News. “President Karzai has reportedly been dragging his feet in part because he thinks that reflects badly on his government.”

Noted Phillips, “I think over time there could be reforms that will reduce corruption but it’s going to be difficult to make dramatic, overnight impacts.”

However, while challenges certainly remain, Phillips explains that Karzai has a vested interest in a more ethical government.

“Karzai, in the past, has bristled when confronted by outside calls for reducing corruption because that is perceived by many Afghans to be an infringement on Afghan sovereignty,” Phillips said. “But I think President Karzai realized in the long run he must take stronger action on corruption because that undermines the prospects of stabilizing Afghanistan.”

The Afghan government has come under scrutiny for non-merit based appointments and failing to halt the country’s drug trade.