Untitled Assignment 1

Trigger Warning: This is sensitive material that some people may find offensive. However, it is a reality, cited by every major news source in the developed world, and precisely because it is a difficult topic, it forces us to confront how far we are willing to extend the idea of cultural comfort. 

Since 2001 the US military has been involved in military actions in Afghanistan. One issue that is rarely reported is the issue of pederasty (use of young boys for sex and sexual entertainment) by Afghan elders. This article details the practice, and also the US militarys non-interference policy: HuffPost – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amitai-etzioni/us-continues-to-ignore-ma_b_11307442.html

In 3 paragraphs, explain what you think should be our response to the matter. Obviously, the article has a very activist tone, but try to be sympathetic to why the military has generally taken a non-interference policy. Is this sort of thing objectively wrong? Or is it simply a different cultural norm? Even if we do disagree with something vehemently from another culture, is it right to prioritize a military or economic policy above the enforcement of a particular cultural practice that we find abhorrent?

Remember that this is a “should” argument, so organize your thoughts appropriately.