AFGHANISTAN: STANDING IN SOLIDARITY

First lady Laura Bush is in Afghanistan. This is an important trip because
with the war in Iraq -- and so many other international emergencies -- it's
become all too easy to forget about the daunting challenges facing that
country.

"When I really realized the plight of the women under the Taliban," Bush
said, "I also found that American women really stand in solidarity with the
women in Afghanistan."

The women (and girls) of Afghanistan are the key to normalcy. History is
full of examples that show when a country educates its women, the economic
climate improves and general stability follows.

Afghanistan is on the cusp of success -- or failure. It could either become
a nation that's whole or one that's merely a narco-state torn apart by
enterprising warlords. The resolution of the country's future depends on
two efforts: girls' education and drug eradication.

That's why the timing of Bush's trip is excellent. Just this month a new
campaign was launched to boost the enrollment of girls in school.
Afghanistan's school year began this month. According to the United
Nations, some 60 percent of girls under 11 -- more than 1 million -- are
still not attending school and in five provinces, only about 10 percent of
school-age girls are in classes.

Could the United States do more? Yes, Bush announced a gift of $21 million
and we should invest even more in girls' schools. But there is steady
progress to report and Afghanistan's leaders -- including many religious
leaders -- remain on the path of education.