[...]A few may possibly yet harbor some residual sympathy with the radical religious tenets of extreme Islam, but the lack of mosque attendance in the city indicates the vast majority is happy with the development of a more secular society. Peace has broken out in a big way in Kabul and its environs, many Afghans have assured me. It doesn’t take too much convincing; the evidence of a new civil society is everywhere. Still, after 17 years living between the mujahideen military stronghold in Peshawar and Kabul, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to expect too much too soon. The dusty inferno of this Kabul summer may hold some unpleasant surprises, especially on the cusp of another Loya Jirga, but there is optimism everywhere and this society gives the impression that it is committed to making it all work despite the future trials yet to be endured. Those who disparaged the American efforts in Afghanistan have seriously underestimated the constructive changes wrought in this city in such a brief period. Despite dozens of missteps, made mostly with good intentions, it has been the understated but forceful American influence, not the UN and the hundreds of NGOs, that has taken the major gambles here. The Americans have displayed admirable flexibility in altering tactics and strategy when necessary and achieved this dicey, delicate transition. [...]