“Many U.S. policymakers, defense officials, and prominent opinion leaders still tend to lump al Qaeda (a loose, transnational jihadist network responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks) together with the Taliban (an indigenous Pashtun-dominated movement with no shadowy global mission).”
Another argument against a surge, and a troop increase. I can’t say I trust the Republicans who are pushing for troop increase to know exactly what’s going on, and to not have politics play a part. Still waiting on the White House…and still a very difficult situation.
Also On This Site: From The Washington Post: Andrew Bacevich ‘Let’s Beat the Extremists Like We Beat the Soviets’…From Foreign Policy: ‘Evaluating Progress In Afghanistan-Pakistan’…From The WSJ: Graham, Lieberman and McCain “Only Decisive Force Can Prevail In Afghanistan’…
Anthony Cordesman At CSIS: Resourcing For Defeat
One of our friends is a retired Vietnam War veteran who was an intelligence officer at that time. He agrees with everything you and people like you are saying about Afghanistan. He said that unfortunately you are like Casandra in the Illiad.
The Gods have given you the gift of prophecy but no one will believe you. At least none of the key decision makers in Washington up till now. The war lovers and war hawks seem to have the upper hand so far.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
I/m pretty sure it’s not prophecy.
Honest reporting of facts and conditions on the ground in Afghanistan is what we need from non-military personnel, and a vigorous debate here at home.
I”m also open to the truths and demands of the military. There are few things as profound as the understanding, as well as the duty and honor of a good soldier. But there’s a bigger picture as well. Public support has been waning for some time…what unites Afghan society beyond tribal loyalty is mostly a deep Islamic tradition…and not nearly so much nationalism, nor a political or cultural tradition that creates a platform for Afghans to meet our aims through military action (thus meeting us through their own choice and will, which is still a lot to ask when you are pursuing your goals through military action).
I’m disappointed by the rhetoric of the right which would simply dump more troops in (I believe many there are operating on dated models of statecraft and doing it for political reasons), and the pressure on the President, as a democrat to prove his loyalty to the military and love of country, kind of like Kennedy. Obama has to be a wiser, and frankly, more in control of his passions than that.