Flyin' High: Kite Runner author Khaled Hosseini soars at the Open Visions Forum (old article)

The nationally recognized author of The New York Times #1 Bestseller The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini, spoke about a subject very close to his heart and heritage at the Open Visions Forum last night: Afghanistan.

Hosseini, born and raised in the beleaguered country, shared his unique perspective on his homeland with the audience in an effort to better explain its current situation.

The Afghan author made it clear that the U.S. is “not going to win this[war] through military.” He mentioned how no foreign nation has ever been able to seize absolute control over the country on their own soil and that this time will not prove to be the exception. The U.S. Military's presence is helping in the counterinsurgency effort, but it will take a multifaceted approach in order to make the nation stable. “I think some of it[change] will come about because of education,” Hosseini said.

Hosseini also acknowledged that this effort is “not a 100-yd dash, it's a marathon.” The country has been invaded by foreign powers several times in recent history and its people have endured a great deal of suffering and loss. Hosseini stressed that “its going to take at least one generation, if not two” to start making substantial headway, but it cannot be expected to occur all at once.

Despite the hardships, Hosseini informed the audience that 85 percent of Afghans polled were optimistic about their future. They remain hopeful and “most Afghans don't view the Americans as occupiers.” Hosseini also felt encouraged by the government's reevaluation of its approach to policies as well as their awareness and acknowledgment that troops have misbehaved in the wartime setting.

Hosseini spent the early years of his childhood growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan until his family moved to San Jose, California in 1980. He earned his M.D. from the University of California, San Diego and kept up with his practice during the writing of his highly acclaimed debut, The Kite Runner. His second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, also garnered the #1 Bestseller status from The New York Times Book Review.

Having had the chance to escape Afghanistan earlier on and having experienced much success and fortune in his life, Hosseini feels obliged to use his new-found fame to aid his countrymen. “I felt connected to the issue of millions in refugee camps,” he said to the audience. Aside from shedding light on the condition overseas, he has also started his own foundation for supporting underprivileged children and women in Afghanistan. He was named a goodwill envoy to the United Nations Refugee Agency in 2006 for his efforts.

The conventional consensus of the evening from faculty and students alike was one of positive acclaim for Hosseini's talk and his mission. “He's a perfect link” said Michael Brelsford'11, in reference to Hosseini's position as a native Afghan and a current American citizen. Dr. Kim Bridgford, Professor of English, noted Hosseini as “being both knowledgeable and clear about the subject[Afghanistan].”

Others like Meghan McGrath'12 felt enlightened by the Forum talk and were able to walk away with a new outlook on the widespread violence and misfortunes of the country. “I never really thought of the war as a means for social change for Afghan citizens,” McGrath admitted. “To me it has always been about the terrorists and what they did.”

Although it “appears to be an endless stalemate,” Hosseini reassured all in question that Afghanistan is willing to change and efforts there are having an effect. “It's a war-weary nation,” he explained, “a nation ready to get on with the business of living.”