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This is Part One of a 4-part series built around The General, a legendary Afghan officer we previously introduced in a run-down of the cast of characters that Geoffrey Ingersoll is following while embedded at FOB Delaram. ~ Eloise & Robert
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The office. Wall to wall red carpet. Two couches.
There's a big screen TV, and on it is "Raising Arizona." You know, that classic, the one they never show anymore on cable, the one about the sterile cop and the ex-con who steal a baby from a wealthy family.
There's green tea on the table, little twisty-wrapper caramel candies on each saucer, and on the far wall a big photo of Hamid Karzai looms over an enormous desk, topped with a layer of black reflective glass.
Brigadier General Abdul Wasea (pronounced, "Wa-Say"), commander of the 2nd Afghan Army Brigade in northern Helmand and Nimroz, is sitting next to me on the couch, one leg folded up underneath the other.
He issues a few orders, and the last remaining officers scurry out the door.
Then he turns toward me.
"So?" He says.
Wasea started off his career in 1983 as an Infantry and Artillery Officer with the Mujahadin, fighting the Russians up in the mountains.
"They invaded, killed 2 million people, filled our schools with communist propaganda, they tried to take over. So it was the Holy War, you know?" He says to me, "We really believed that."
I ask him the difference between how the Russians conducted war versus the Americans.
"The Russians, these people, they try to kill me, my people. No different than the Taliban. The Taliban is no good, they are not true Muslims. They distort the teaching of Muhammed in order to fit their business model. It is all about business, these wars."
Then it's about business for the Americans, and for Karzai?
He smiles, "This Army, the Afghanistan Army, one of my goals is to make them an unpolitical army. We had major problem with political officers in the beginning, but slowly we are getting better."
I should have known he wouldn't comment on Kabul's current "administration" of the army.

About as far as he'll go is to say, "You know, as I say, bureaucracy is corruption and corruption is bureaucracy. Like the Army needs more good leadership, this country needs more good governance."
He continues, "It's hard to get representatives of the Ministry of Defense or the Ministry of Interior to visit out here, to see what's going on. I can go tell them, but do they ever come? No."
Probably because they're busy handling the convoluted nature of the private side of the conflict. By "private," I mean contracts and contractors.
Of the many contracts, the simplest, easiest ones to track are those involving equipment, specifically for the Afghan National Police (ANP) and Afghan National Army (ANA).
The war has certainly been lucrative for the companies supplying our troops, both US and Afghan. Rifles, M16s, machine guns, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, and Ford Rangers, shitloads, of Ford Rangers.
In just this last year's contract, Ford has delivered 30,000 of its Ford Ranger "Light Tactical Vehicle," with 10,000 more to finish.
That's nothing, Ford delivered 234,183 LTV's in fiscal year 2010.
Like I said, shitloads.
The funding goes through the Afghan Security Forces Fund, which Congress backs financially, through Obama's recommendations; for 2010 his recommendation came to $9.8 billion, and in 2011 $12.2 billion. But it's not fair that we American taxpayers get all the credit, 40 other nations in NATO pooled together to pitch in $100 million too.
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA), specifically the Ministry of Defense (MoD), allocates these funds under "advisement" of something called NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan (NTM-A) and, most importantly, the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.
In other words, American diplomatic and military advisers.
But it's not like Ford has no competition. In January 2012, a company called Oshkosh threw it's hat in the LTV bidding war.
As a kid, I used to think Oshkosh made the clothes I wore. Now, all grown up, I've realized there's another Oshkosh, and it competes to provide our troops with incredibly expensive, incredibly tough all-terrain vehicles.
Who'd've thought?

Because of the war, Afghanistan spends about $17 billion a year. As for growth, Afghanistan takes in about $2 billion per year. Revenue, specifically from something other than poppy (used to make Opium), is still in the infancy of its development, despite 11 years of American involvement.
The people in Afghanistan, citizens as well as military, tell me that countries like Pakistan and Iran are invested in the continued instability of their country, largely to develop a growing trade differential, and so an international dependence.
"All the money we get, from American aid or from earning it privately in business, it goes into importing from Pakistan and Iran," says one prominent Kabul business owner on condition of anonymity. "We don't make anything here, and all the money flows into those two countries. The rest of it goes to the guys at the top, the ones sitting at the executive levels of pre-existing power structures."
"It's like the Americans came to build a house, and they started with roof," he says.
At one point during the conversation, I remember leaning forward to grab the ketchup, and as I turned it over I noticed, no kidding, a "Made in Pakistan" label on the bottom.
Pakistan and Iran fought a proxy war here in the early 90s through various mujahadic tribes, a campaign championed eventually by Ahmad Shah Massoud, the "Hero of Afghanistan." His success was short-lived, defeated then by the Taliban, who stripped anything useful out of the country and sold it to Pakistan.
But there is hope.
Recently China and Russia started winning development contracts for oil and mining. Undoubtedly the subcontracts will go to American firms such as Haliburton and KBR, like in Iraq, but that's beside the point.
As a part of these contracts, both countries have agreed to build significant pieces of infrastructure. Railways, electricity, running water. And, unlike the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the others like it, these foreign companies have a vested interest: the exploitation and export of rare earth minerals and fossil fuels, for astronomical profit (GIRoA estimates about 3Tn dollars in unearthed assets, the US estimates about 2Tn).
China's only projected problem with the development is continued security. They, of course, make no promises of personnel dedicated to that task, and understandably so, since the American military subsists in no small part due to China's continued "investment" in American debt.
One thing I noticed while talking to the young soldiers in the ANA, is that a large group of them grew up in either Pakistan or Iran. Their parents were refugees from one war or another.
"We never had a childhood," says one officer, a major, who stayed in Afghanistan. "We spent our childhoods in war, and then later, when we got older, we were the young men fighting the war."
A fair amount of these soldiers, especially the ones who have children of their own, say they'll leave if things get worse after the American exodus. Yes, the next generation's outcome is certainly in flux, to say the least, despite the declared wealth hidden beneath and within the dirt of Afghanistan.
So I guess it's like that movie, the one I noticed on Wasea's TV, "Raising Arizona," the one about the ex-con and the sterile cop stealing the baby from a wealthy family.
(What's not so cut and dry is who is playing the role of the ex-con, and who is playing the role of the impotent cop. Companies in a bidding war? Military bureaucracy? Who knows.)
But there is one conclusion: Afghanistan's wealth may be certain, but the future of its children is not.
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In the latest edition of On the Economists’ Minds, SocGen's Michala Marcussen reveals that the #1 client question right now is: Will the euro area switch to a new diet?
Basically, is Europe going to somehow inch away from the German-favored austerity, and embark on some shceme that might actually have a reasonable shot of bringing some growth.
This was definitely the buzz of the past week. As we wrote on the morning of the 24th, the jig appears to be up for Germany. Between the likely Hollande victory and the Geert Wilders-inspired torpedoeing of the Dutch austerity scheme, there's now a serious counterweight to the idea that austerity and confidence will solve everything.
Other European leaders talked about the need for growth, not just austerity, this past week. Macrussen points out something we'd missed, which is that the EU's Herman van Rompuy even called for a "Dinner For Growth" to take place in June ahead of a big summit.
It's all still very inchoate. Nobody is actually yet calling for a scheme that allows more government spending to boost some demand. Still it's mostly about "reforms" designed to foster growth. But things have to start somewhere, and a change in the tone is welcome.
One other note: Reuters is out with an article called Global Policy Shifting From Austerity Toward Growth. That has to count as some key marker of a shift.
SEE ALSO: A sea change is happening in Europe >
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While it’s all fine and good to do your own research and try to mobilize your community, many of us need a greater push. And let’s face it, in this media driven world, a lot of times the only way to get messages across are through the voices of celebrities and key public figures. And let’s also face it, I don’t really write about key public figures unless they are celebrities, so it’s only appropriate that that’s who we discuss.
Let’s take a look at some of the Hollywood honchos out there who have used their popularity for a good cause, unlike Cher Horowitz. If you don’t get that joke, please refrain from reading my work in the future! Just kidding. Keep reading. Anyway, click through the gallery above and try to get involved. I’ll give you a cookie if you do.
Leonardo DiCaprio is the ultimate Hollywood environmentalist. While it may not seem like a big deal to us normal folk, he shuns private jets and opts for commercial air. He also exclusively drives hybrid cars and lives in a house decked out with solar panels. He has worked with former Vice President Al Gore to instill environmentally positive practices throughout America. Basically, he's perfect.
Adrian Grenier is all about being green. In fact, his house in Brooklyn is one of the most eco-friendly celebrity homes. Additionally, he has a show on Planet Green called Alter Eco, which highlights environmentalists and their contributions
Following Hurricane Katrina, Brad Pitt was on the scene, building houses and creating appropriate living spaces for the thousands who had lost their homes and all of their possessions. He is also involved with Global Green, an environmental non-profit that focuses on building a "sustainable future."
See the rest of the story at Business InsiderPlease follow The Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
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We?re all a bit easier to please during the summer months. School is out. Schedules are more laid back. And an evening of entertainment may simply require a few lawn chairs for the adults and a sprinkler for the kids to run through. Take advantage of that easygoing attitude and your budget will thank you!
For most of us, summertime means fewer scheduled evening activities, so it?s the perfect time to cook more meals at home. Even if you find yourself on the run, grilling is a fast and tasty way to get dinner on the table quickly. And for a special weekend treat, try this homemade strawberry cake recipe from Martha Thompson, our Director of Guest Relations.
Speaking of tasty, consider planting your own vegetable garden. George Ball, chairman and CEO of seed giant Burpee, says every dollar you spend on green bean seeds will result in a green bean harvest worth $75. Mr. Burpee, er, Ball may be exaggerating a bit, but a family vegetable garden is a great family project that can cut your grocery bill.
If you don?t have green thumb, try your local farmer?s market for fresh produce at a great price. If you?re really industrious, you can even buy extras and can them for the winter.
Don?t forget the no-fail way to reap the savings, especially in the summer?cut up the credit card! People buy more junk food with plastic, and who needs junk food when there?s an abundance of fresh summer fruit and veggies?
Everyone needs some time to relax and have fun. Luckily, summertime fun can be simple and cheap!
And keep in mind, your kids don?t need you to shell out for expensive outings. They will honestly enjoy family game nights, camping out and watching Fourth of July fireworks as long as it means spending time with you. Get ideas for more fun summer activities.
From the 1950s to the 1990s, 45?60% of teenagers had summer jobs. These days, only about 25% work during the summer. Summer jobs are essential for teaching kids the responsibilities of holding down a job. They?ll also learn the value of earning and managing money.
If you have older kids, encourage them to be creative about how they can earn some money in their free time. Your budget will benefit as well since they won?t be hitting you up for spending money!
Dave has plenty of tools you can use this summer to teach your kids valuable financial principles that will last a lifetime. The newly revamped Financial Peace Junior. has everything you need to start teaching your kids the values of working and earning money. And The Graduate?s Survival Guide will give your recent high school grad a close look at what it?s like to handle money on their own.
Tell us how you will make this summer good for your budget by leaving a comment below.
Source: http://www.daveramsey.com/article/3-reasons-summer-is-good-for-your-budget/lifeandmoney_budgeting
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