One abandoned his homeland and left, the other stood with his chest to defend it.
Author: Shadab Amin Begzad, journalist (Afghanistan)
Astonishingly, today, some people speak grandly about the homeland, honor, five thousand years of history, the flag, and the national anthem. But the people have still not forgotten those days. The first to flee Afghanistan were the very same people who, for twenty years, presented themselves as the owners of the tricolor flag and the great defenders of the homeland. But at the slightest pressure, they fled thousands of miles away. They took with them neither the banner, nor the history, nor the honor, nor the dignity. The only thing they managed to take with them was money, leaving everything else behind.
For twenty years, they ruled the fate of the country in the name of a republic and democracy while deceiving the people. Billions of dollars in international aid came to Afghanistan, but a large portion of that money disappeared into corruption and into personal pockets. A great opportunity that could have built a new Afghanistan was lost because of those very irresponsible politicians.
When the difficult days arrived, they did not defend the homeland and did not stand beside the people. One after another they packed their suitcases and left the country. The people were left defenseless, the soldiers were abandoned, and the country for which slogans had been shouted for years collapsed within just a few days.
History judges nations precisely at such moments—not by loud slogans, not by grand speeches, and not by empty emotions.
But if we look at Iran today, we see a different picture. Despite strong international pressure, military threats, and the hostility of many states, people remain in their country. Their system is under pressure, yet no politician has organized a mass escape.
Among the politicians and their forces, despite all their disagreements, it can be seen that they stand in the face of crisis and the enemy. Few have packed their belongings and fled the country. Iranian politicians are ready to sacrifice themselves for their country; they stand with their chests before the bombs of the great powers of the world, they sacrifice themselves for the people, but they do not run.
This is where the differences become clear. Some nations stand firm in difficult days, while some politicians abandon the field at the very first moment of danger.
Afghanistan suffered greatly from war, but the wound caused by corruption and the flight of its leaders was perhaps the most painful of all.
History will not forget these days.
Afghanistan’s politicians should learn from Iranian politicians. They show that they have history, honor, and dignity, and that they are ready to sacrifice their lives for their country. I hope that Afghanistan’s politicians will also possess at least a small measure of honor and learn steadfastness.
