In Afghanistan, Hamid “Karzai was sworn in [as president] on December 22 [2001] in a solemn ceremony attended by some two thousand tribal chiefs, warlords, [Central Command leader] General [Tommy] Franks, and the world’s diplomats. The new president gave an enormously moving speech that brought tears to the eyes of many grizzled warriors. ‘Our country is nothing but a ruined land. Oh God! The journey is long and I am a novice. I need your help,’ Karzai said.”
– Ahmed Rashid, Descent Into Chaos, Page 106