Comments Elsewhere

Historical note:

“… the first democratic election in Afghanistan (not post-Taliban, but ever) earlier this year.”

This is not accurate. During the period of the Constitutional monarchy (1964-1973), the Afghan Constitution (which you can find translated online at http://www.dsg.unito.it/dircost/Afghanistan%201964.htm, if you’re interested) provided for universal suffrage and established democratically elected municipal and provincial councils as well as bicameral national Parliament with a democratically elected lower house (Wolesi Jirgah) and direct elections for 1/3 of the members of the upper house (Meshrano Jirgah). Afghanistan’s first nationwide elections were held in September 1965, and a second round was held at the end of the first 4 year legislative term in 1969.