Almost every Westerner I once knew here has left the country for good, their missions suspended or shut down, and several of my longtime Afghan acquaintances and colleagues have fled abroad and sought asylum.The few old friends who remain stationed here, mostly professionals from international agencies, are either away for the holidays or shuttered inside guarded compounds, ordered by security consultants to avoid public places and unable to visit the projects they sponsor.
In the past two months, the militants have bombed or stormed foreign symbols and sanctuaries around the city — aid agencies, guest houses, even a performance at a French cultural center, while warning that they will treat Western civic activities exactly like military enemies.
In the past several weeks, I have not seen a single Western face on the streets. For the first time since ATMs were installed here several years ago, there is no one in line to use them, and they are not constantly running out of dollars.
The only nativity scene I have encountered was in a refugee settlement on the outskirts of the city, where I ventured on Christmas to interview people.... I tried to explain to the camp leaders what this sight meant to me, but they were politely baffled.
I am baffled that she even attempted to explain anything about Christianity in such a place and at such a time.
As the clock runs out on 2014, the new American-brokered government has failed to produce a cabinet, the last NATO combat forces officially depart at midnight Thursday, and the insurgents are howling at the gates of the city.