Why Young Afghans Won't Vote

Oliver S. Mains, a professor at American University in Kabul, explains why the young Afghans he teaches are boycotting August's elections.

He is trying to convince his students that America does not have absolute control over their country. Though they want change as much as Americans in '08 or Iranians last month, his students see no reason why they should participate in an election where they think the occupying power pulls the strings.

I heard frustrations like this, and much more complex conspiracy theories, all the time in Egypt and Jordan. It is difficult to believe that America isn't all powerful when it is the biggest power.

The photo is from Victoria Villalobos on Flickr, using a Creative Commons license.