“The United Nations estimates that only 170 Taliban flipped sides late last year, but the Afghan government now hopes that its new initiative will lure a significant number of the estimated 25,000 to 30,000 active Taliban fighters in from the cold.”
Meet the Afghan people where they are and address basic needs…and hope for the best?
…And as for the government?: It will be controlling from 20 to 50% of foreign aid this year, according to the CSM.
Also On This Site: From The Associated Press: The Text Of Obama’s Afghanistan Speech, December 1st, 2009
From Bloomberg: More Troops To Afghanistan? A Memo From Henry Kissinger To Gerald Ford?…From The NY Times Video: ‘A Schoolgirl’s Odyssey’…From The WSJ: Graham, Lieberman and McCain “Only Decisive Force Can Prevail In Afghanistan…From Commonweal: Andrew Bacevich “The War We Can’t Win: Afghanistan And The Limits Of American Power”
See Also: Philip Bobbitt Discusses His Book ‘Terror And Consent’ On Bloggingheads