Wow...

Ok, I've arrived in Kabul and been here for the better part of 2 days now, even though some of that has been in a sleep-filled stupor.

Why am I here? Good question! The concepts are pretty basic, have the US Government work together well and as a team. But like any large organization, that isn't always the case. I'm here with my office to contribute to the integration of military and civilian efforts. Basically, for lack of an easier term, I'm serving on a team of strategic consultants. The purpose is to help align planning from the provincial to the national levels. Almost as important, is to help the civilian voice be heard in this planning process that is establishing goals. Due to being underresourced, the civilians have to struggle to make their voice heard and the implications on issues of sustainable development, agriculture, and justice are sometimes not considered by the military which wasn't trained to help stabilize and reconstruct countries. I'll be going to some of the provinces to work through this visioning/planning process with them and then returning to Kabul to ensure that everything is synchronized.

Talk about security. Dogs, guards, posts, walls, bunkers, razor wire, compounds adjascent to one another. Odd in this relatively safe environment. Then again, better safe than sorry. I know I will get a bit restless in the Afghan Embassy Compound though. Not sure if it is jetlag or the need to get something accomplished that has had me up late tonight. I'm excited about the work ahead. I know it will be challenging and interesting.

Friday was beautiful here in Kabul. Relatively clear air with views of the surrounding mountains much like some of the cities I remember from Tajikistan. The Embassy must have been very nice back in the day. I have been eyeballing the volleyball court and hope it warms up here soon!
The taxpayers are getting their money's worth out of the ICMAG (Integrated Civ-Mil Action Group) that I'm supporting. The office holds 10 computers and is smaller than my kitchen. Hopefully the AC works well when it gets warm or we'll be suffering.

I visited the PX today and shopped around a bit. Found some fireproof gloves for when I'm out in the provinces and got a few DVDs for $2 each. No TVs here that I know of so they should do for entertainment. Understand a colleague of mine has quite the collection!

I'll hush for now. Going to try to crash soon.

Peace...