--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dysfunctional states like Afghanistan…" description: "\"Dysfunctional states like Afghanistan need business people who are deeply rooted in their country and invest in it. They can add stability. But all dev..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd8/ahmed-rashid-19311_afghanistan_dysfunctional-states-like-afghanistan-ne_2418393.jpg" --- # Dysfunctional states like Afghanistan need business people… ![“Dysfunctional states like Afghanistan need business people who are deeply rooted in their country and invest in it. They can add stability. But all development programs of the United States and the European countries unfortunately exclude the private sector, which could make investments based on…” quote by Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd8/ahmed-rashid-19311_afghanistan_dysfunctional-states-like-afghanistan-ne_2418393.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd8/ahmed-rashid-19311_afghanistan_dysfunctional-states-like-afghanistan-ne_2418393.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd8/ahmed-rashid-19311_afghanistan_dysfunctional-states-like-afghanistan-ne_2418393.jpg) > “Dysfunctional states like Afghanistan need business people who are deeply rooted in their country and invest in it. They can add stability. But all development programs of the United States and the European countries unfortunately exclude the private sector, which could make investments based on profitability.” [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that sustainable stability in conflict‑prone nations like Afghanistan requires domestic entrepreneurs who understand local contexts, yet current aid programs often sideline the private sector. **In simple terms:** Local businesses can bring stability, but aid ignores them. Key Takeaway Include private sector in development plans. Themes economics stability entrepreneurship policy conflict Mood cautious optimistic Type policy economic strategic When to use this quote - government aid design - foreign investment strategies - local market development - NGO partnerships Key Concepts private investment nation‑building economic incentives Questions to Reflect On - What incentives can align profit with stability? - How can governments better integrate local businesses? A Different Perspective Private profit motives may not align with public welfare goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afghanistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan/) [Afghanistan Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan-need-1648710/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-people/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Country Invest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-invest-694572/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Investment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investment/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Like Afghanistan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-afghanistan-2393047/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Private sector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/private-sector/) [Program](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/program/) [Stability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stability/) ## Related quotes > [As far as Afghanistan is concerned, I'm not sure whether the United States and Pakistan have the same objectives. Pakistan would like Afghanistan to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manmohan-singh/as-far-as-afghanistan-is-concerned-i-m-not-sure-whether-the-united/) [Manmohan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manmohan-singh/) > [The events of September 11 and what has happened since have made people understand that even a small, distant and far away country like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lakhdar-brahimi/the-events-of-september-11-and-what-has-happened-since-have-made/) [Lakhdar Brahimi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lakhdar-brahimi/) > [There're some places that are more difficult or dangerous to navigate and I wouldn't look forward to going back. Like I'd much rather go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/there-re-some-places-that-are-more-difficult-or-dangerous-to-navigate/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [We invaded Afghanistan to find bin Laden. We found him in Pakistan, and we're still in Afghanistan. We need better GPS.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-borowitz/we-invaded-afghanistan-to-find-bin-laden-we-found-him-in-pakistan-and/) [Andy Borowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-borowitz/) > [“If we want to understand the people in the foothills of Afghanistan, we may need to try and understand the people in the foothills…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-rebanks/if-we-want-to-understand-the-people-in-the-foothills-of-afghanistan/) [James Rebanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-rebanks/) > [What makes a successful country is when you invest in the people of the country - whether it's education, health care, job training -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-steyer/what-makes-a-successful-country-is-when-you-invest-in-the-people-of/) [Tom Steyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-steyer/) > [So, look, in order to move our country forward, we have to do the things our parents and grandparents did. They believed enough in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-o-malley/so-look-in-order-to-move-our-country-forward-we-have-to-do-the-things/) [Martin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-o-malley/) > [A funny thing happens when you go to another country or invest in a company from another country. Suddenly everyone in that community realizes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-seibel/a-funny-thing-happens-when-you-go-to-another-country-or-invest-in-a/) [Michael Seibel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-seibel/) > [Italy is now a great country to invest in... Today we have fewer communists and those who are still there deny having been one.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silvio-berlusconi/italy-is-now-a-great-country-to-invest-in-today-we-have-fewer/) [Silvio Berlusconi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silvio-berlusconi/) > [We need to open up private sector markets. We need to empower small business people, working Georgians, and entrepreneurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-kemp/we-need-to-open-up-private-sector-markets-we-need-to-empower-small/) [Brian Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-kemp/) > [You're not going to build private-sector jobs if you don't like business people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-scott/you-re-not-going-to-build-private-sector-jobs-if-you-don-t-like/) [Rick Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-scott/) > [My mission is to support our service members. They're volunteers, and if they're going to go to a hostile place like Afghanistan, I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/my-mission-is-to-support-our-service-members-they-re-volunteers-and/) [Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/) > [The one thing you learn from looking at places like Afghanistan is that the power of business to do good is enormous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-tzemach-lemmon/the-one-thing-you-learn-from-looking-at-places-like-afghanistan-is/) [Gayle Tzemach Lemmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-tzemach-lemmon/) > [The United States has a lot of influence in a country like Afghanistan, but it also has influence throughout the Middle East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/the-united-states-has-a-lot-of-influence-in-a-country-like/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [The United States does not view our authority to use military force against Al Qaeda as being restricted solely to 'hot' battlefields like Afghanistan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-brennan/the-united-states-does-not-view-our-authority-to-use-military-force/) [John O. Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-brennan/) ## More by Ahmed Rashid > [You have a lot of suspicion from the neighbors of Afghanistan about U.S. intentions. Iran is already, to some extent, trying to undermine the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/you-have-a-lot-of-suspicion-from-the-neighbors-of-afghanistan-about-u/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [America does not hold to the colonial tradition. America came, liberated Afghanistan from the Taliban and al-Qaida, came to an arrangement with Hamid Karzai,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/america-does-not-hold-to-the-colonial-tradition-america-came/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [The idea of a permanent U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, as opposed to an economic presence, is going to create a new wave of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/the-idea-of-a-permanent-u-s-military-presence-in-afghanistan-as/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [“Afghanistan is not only the mirror of the Afghans: it is the mirror of the world. 'If you do not like the image in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/afghanistan-is-not-only-the-mirror-of-the-afghans-it-is-the-mirror-of/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [Pashtun nationalism is reasserting itself. Its political history spans several hundred years. The Pashtuns are angry at the Americans because, one, they're still being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/pashtun-nationalism-is-reasserting-itself-its-political-history-spans/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [There is no way the Americans are going to be able to carry out a full scale war against Iraq and at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/there-is-no-way-the-americans-are-going-to-be-able-to-carry-out-a/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [Our Pakistan elites are spoiled by permanent foreign aid and therefore find it difficult to change course. Pakistan needs someone who stands up and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/our-pakistan-elites-are-spoiled-by-permanent-foreign-aid-and/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [“Within a few short, dramatic months Afghanistan had been catapulted into the centre of the intensified Cold War between the Soviet Union and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/within-a-few-short-dramatic-months-afghanistan-had-been-catapulted/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [I am confident that there are hedge funds, banks or investment companies that could allocate five percent of their portfolios for risky investments. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/i-am-confident-that-there-are-hedge-funds-banks-or-investment/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [The Pashtuns feel discriminated against by the Americans because they supported the Taliban and the war is still going on in their region with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/the-pashtuns-feel-discriminated-against-by-the-americans-because-they/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [I think within a year or so, perhaps, if 9/11 had not happened, in Afghanistan would have been a very broad-based general uprising against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/i-think-within-a-year-or-so-perhaps-if-9-11-had-not-happened-in/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [We should remember that the Pashtuns are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. Of course, many of them did support the Taliban. But you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/we-should-remember-that-the-pashtuns-are-the-largest-ethnic-group-in/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [What everyone underestimated was the acute unpopularity of the Taliban, even in the Pashtun areas. People like myself were saying the Taliban would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/what-everyone-underestimated-was-the-acute-unpopularity-of-the/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [The Soviets held to the tradition of colonialism. They raped the country and killed many people. But they also built dams, electrical power plants,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/the-soviets-held-to-the-tradition-of-colonialism-they-raped-the/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) > [ I met a lot of the senior Taliban, and I asked them precisely \[about Mullah Omar\]. The most common answer was he is humble.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-rashid/i-met-a-lot-of-the-senior-taliban-and-i-asked-them-precisely-about/) [Ahmed Rashid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) [Explore all 33 Ahmed Rashid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-rashid/) ## More Afghanistan quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ortiz/from-the-bitter-cold-winter-at-valley-forge-to-the-mountains-of/) [Solomon Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ortiz/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [They're criminals, they brutalized Afghanistan, they killed our people, they destroyed our land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamid-karzai/they-re-criminals-they-brutalized-afghanistan-they-killed-our-people/) [Hamid Karzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamid-karzai/) > [In 2001, we were told that the war in Afghanistan was a feminist mission. The marines were liberating Afghan women from the Taliban. Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/in-2001-we-were-told-that-the-war-in-afghanistan-was-a-feminist/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the courageous actions of our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us that friends of tyranny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-levin/the-terrorist-attacks-of-september-11th-and-the-courageous-actions-of/) [Carl Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-levin/) > [According to a recent Harvard study, $6 trillion, when you include the ongoing healthcare expenses for our wounded soldiers, which is the least they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/according-to-a-recent-harvard-study-6-trillion-when-you-include-the/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [You don't bargain with terrorists. You don't appease terrorists. And anybody who believes that this is about something we've done has to ask themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chertoff/you-don-t-bargain-with-terrorists-you-don-t-appease-terrorists-and/) [Michael Chertoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chertoff/) > [“I stood with my mom in the cemetery. She felt terrible pain. My grandmother is with God. My mom has to continue living. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-elliot/i-stood-with-my-mom-in-the-cemetery-she-felt-terrible-pain-my/) [Tucker Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-elliot/) > [The most successful cultural diplomacy strategy integrates people-to-people or arts/culture/media-to-people interactions into the basic business of diplomacy. The programs in Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-p-schneider/the-most-successful-cultural-diplomacy-strategy-integrates-people-to/) [Cynthia P. Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-p-schneider/) > [Because Iran understands Afghanistan far better than Americans do, making Iran a partner in a long-term effort to transform Afghan agriculture makes sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/because-iran-understands-afghanistan-far-better-than-americans-do/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. Chelsea Manning broke her oath and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/thousands-of-americans-have-given-their-lives-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [I have been to Afghanistan many times, even before the Taliban collapsed. I was fascinated by the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/i-have-been-to-afghanistan-many-times-even-before-the-taliban/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [There has been sort of, if you will, a moral interventionism on the part of the United States trying to reshape countries in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/there-has-been-sort-of-if-you-will-a-moral-interventionism-on-the/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The legal system in Afghanistan is very immature and porous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/the-legal-system-in-afghanistan-is-very-immature-and-porous/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) [Browse all 1,159 Afghanistan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghanistan/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Dysfunctional states like Afghanistan need business people who are deeply rooted in their country and invest in it. 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