Admittedly, I am partial to the Afghans. And to the Pakistanis east of their border. Where they can make it on a handful of rice a day, American soldiers require beefsteaks, icecreams, and movies, if not much more. In the current issue of The Economist, there is a picture of about a dozen men, all of them characterized as the Taliban. One is totting a Kalashnikov, another a bazooka, and the third a couple of rounds of machinegun bullets. Two of them hold electronic gear with long antennas. But they are all wearing their traditional clothing, some of which are neatly embroidered, too. As well as long beards. There is a glitch, though. Only one of the men in the picture wears traditional sandals, whereas two of them can be seen wearing western-style sports shoes. The feet of the others are cut short. To wit, the end of an entire culture is already nigh. The western tenderfoot is spreading, and fast, even to the rugged border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Nikes. Reeboks. Adidas. No matter how wonderful the picture, it is obvious it cannot last much longer. In a few short years, the warriors of old will be nothing without beefsteaks, icecream, and movies, if not much more.