As U.S. troops leave, Afghans fear for what's next
(CBS News) KABUL - President Obama will meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the White House next week to discuss the drawdown of American combat troops. It's due to be completed by the end of next year.
Will the Afghans be ready to take full control of their security?
From a processing plant on the edge of Kabul, Mustafa Sadiq has built a $20 million fruit juice empire.
He's created one thousand new jobs despite suicide bombings near his factory and threats from kidnappers. Now, a new worry: U.S. troops are starting to leave.
"I believe they do not realize that when they leave the country, how bad effect that will have on the Afghans. They came here and they stayed here for 10 years and they just, in a simple way, they are dumping us and leaving the country," Sadiq said.
Sadiq told us he's disappointed with U.S. efforts to rebuild the country, and worried the Taliban may return.
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Many Afghans who can afford to leave are making plans, carrying out cash by the billions -- at least $4.5 billion last year alone, according to the Afghan Central Bank.
Like many Afghans who spoke to CBS News, Sadiq told us he has no faith in the U.S.-trained security forces that are supposed to take over.
"We have a poor army, a poor national police," Sadiq said.
They are inept and corrupt, he said. In parts of the south where he buys pomegranates and apples, he said they're no match for the Taliban.
Sadiq said he deals with corruption and bribes, adding: "I believe that is a far more serious problem than the war itself."
The problem is big enough that Sadiq fears corruption could bring down the government.
"For some people, war has become a business. They may be trying to get people to fight one against the other, but ordinary people, Afghans, they are fed up of war," Sadiq said.
Despite his fears, Sadiq is gambling his company will withstand the U.S. withdrawal. He's invested too much to pull out now.