THE general principle in international law is that as people enjoy the fundamental right to self-determination - and in the case of Afghanistan, it is not self-determination that is in issue, else the airport would not be the scene of chaotic - and tragic - attempts to flee the country after the takeover of the Taliban.

Of course, the fate of a country and the course of its history are its concern, but the question that will not leave, such as some nagging neck ache, is whether the people of Afghanistan indeed chose the state of affairs in which they are now.