tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5870237137914133583.post5286972743121691201..comments2023-11-02T05:55:06.055-07:00Comments on The Interrogation Diaries: Making Sense of Government DocumentsLaura McNamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15419737703214762165noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5870237137914133583.post-57807042430720617522007-10-07T11:24:00.000-07:002007-10-07T11:24:00.000-07:00Hello and thanks for the comment. It is astoundin...Hello and thanks for the comment. It is astoundingly complicated, the involvement of anthropologists on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq. I think that we'll see a diversity of views in the anthropology community on this issue. I'm not sure where I stand, given that the DoD defined the program, apparently, as sitting outside any kind of human studies/IRB review - which makes this problematic for at least some anthropologists. I'm not even getting into the issue of anthropology vs. IRBs... that's another story.Laura McNamarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15419737703214762165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5870237137914133583.post-38884106896874149092007-10-06T05:27:00.000-07:002007-10-06T05:27:00.000-07:00Hi,I assume you have now seen the NYTimes article ...Hi,<BR/>I assume you have now seen the NYTimes article on how anthropologists are being used in Afghanistan. The article indicates how valuable they have been in relieving tensions, or at least avoiding some unnecessary clashes with the local Pushtun Tribes. It also indicates the conflicted feelings anthropologists have over whether they should be cooperating with the government in hostile settings. I personally am pleased they are trying to be sensitive to local sensibilities in Afghanistan; if it takes the help of an anthropologist then great. But of course the knowledge of anthropologists vary, and can indeed lead to very different conclusions. Also, I think it is OK in Afghanistan because I have always supported the American involvement in Afghanistan. Iraq is another story. It is not a just cause, so from my point of view it would be less easy to justify the involvement of anthropologists there. Thanks for what you are doing. BobBobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01854415536476550764noreply@blogger.com