Obama and Afghan Strategy
Rizwan Ghani
October 08, 2009
The article, "Obama confronts skepticism over Afghan Strategy" http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/07/obama-afghanistan-mcchrystal-strategy helps understand challenges for Obama amidst dwindling support for Afghan war in average American, most Democrats and few Republicans. "Nancy Pelosi said that the president cannot assume that Democrats will automatically vote for his plans for Afghanistan."
The Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, however said that his party will look to see if McChrystal and General David Petraeus, the head of US central command, approve of the president's plans before offering their own support. McCain urged pushed for faster deployment of additions troops to gain the upper hand over the Taliban. A White House official said that Obama responded: "No one feels more urgency to get this right than I do."
The article touched an important issue but left it unanswered. "In part Obama is seeking to clarify what the aims now are of a war launched by his predecessor to topple the Taliban, deny al-Qaida a base and hunt Osama bin Laden." "The Wall Street Journal reports that Obama is reading Lessons in Disaster, a book about how a former national security adviser of great intellect and reputation, McGeorge Bundy, so badly advised two presidents on the Vietnam war."
A review of Afghan situation http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/obama-administration should help reader understand Obama´s challenge. He as president has to juggle national pride vs. spectacle of defeat on one end of the spectrum with deepening recession and soaring unemployment on the other end. In middle of all this is the money, that Obama needs to address economic mess, unemployment and fund the now 97-month-old Afghan war.
If the aim of war was to deny Chinese influence in the region or avert rise of multi-polar world: both have been realized way back. If it was democracy, rigged Afgan election is case in point. If it was winning hearts and mind read the news "Armed violence kills 2,000 a day" shows that US contributes 52.3 percent to global armament export http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-42960920091007. American media´s failure to admit it or print it will not change ground realities. An ordinary person wants to see an end to the unending cycle of death, destruction and poverty.
EU and most of US NATO allies have withdrawn their troops from Afghanistan or plan to do so in near and distant future. It leaves Obama alone to support and fight Bush´s war against terrorism. Bush Jr. is relaxing in Texas and majority of his Republican supporters and allies are enjoying rewards of mostly ill-gotten wealth; stashed away in offshore tax havens. Thanks to Obama´s poor handling, Washington could only get details of only less than 6000 accounts out of reportedly total 57,000 American account holders evading taxes back home.
In Afghanistan itself, Talibans have turned against America because they feel betrayed. Washington first used them against former Soviet Union to defeat its staunch enemy, then abandoned war ravaged Afghanistan and for the last eight year they are being attacked and killed mercilessly. For majority of foot- soldier Talibans who are unable to understand bigger picture it boils down to war between infidels and Islam.
The corrupt Afghan regime, leaving locals at the mercy of warlords, corruption and ever expanding drug trade has left average Afghan man, woman and child disappointed, frustrated and confused. The second Afghan generation like their ancestors fail to understand why they are being punished and when will all this end? USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979.
Gates may silence Gen. McChrystal for his criticism of afghan situation and call for more troops but it will not solve the Afghan situation permanently. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/06/obama-mcchrystal-afghanistan Obama will have to ask right questions to find a way out of Afghan mess.
Obama must ask those who aren´t making money out of the Afghan war. He should ask the military families and he must ask the world human rights organizations. He must ask average Pakistanis, Europeans and Scandinavians to understand Afghanistan.
Personally, I think average person from a developing world braving corruption, exploitation and poverty looks up to America as country of hopes and dreams. A model that he or she hopes is eventually going to be adopted in his or her country. They never expected or expect merciless American war machine to attack them and kill their dear and near ones without warning and or reason. It confuses them. It alienates them. However, what hurts them most is the American betrayal that preaches love, respect for law and peace but acts otherwise.
Obama therefore has to understand that few thousand Talibans cannot challenge might of a nuclear state. Their threat, like Iraqi WMD is a propped up threat. An average Asian, European like its American counterpart understands the drama being enacted to maintain US occupation in the region to protect its geo-strategic interests against China, Russia and EU.
History shows that peace, respect for law and tolerance not wars have secured economic and military interests. Similarly, humans have never been truly tamed or forced to abandon their beliefs. It is the respect of fellow beings that distinguishes modern world from the dark ages. It is the respect for rule of law that has allowed mankind to progress form a free world.
Obama and Democrats should engage in unconditional dialogue with all concerned in Afghanistan and Pakistan to end Afghan war. Obama should rely on civil courts, police and local constitutions to fight anti-state elements, withdraw American forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, and use the funds to support local economy and millions of unemployed Americans. The recent history shows that use of military force, stifling of local laws and media have only fueled corruption, lawlessness and extremism, which in turn alienate masses from the invaders and local leaders who support the invaders.
Finally, US should use goodwill to win its share in global markets, which no amount of military action can secure. A stronger global economy serves everyone´s interest. It would therefore be interesting to see Obama making history as fate of millions of Asians hangs in balance. Individually, I think Obama has to acknowledge truth to reach right decisions. In all probability it was g
The Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, however said that his party will look to see if McChrystal and General David Petraeus, the head of US central command, approve of the president's plans before offering their own support. McCain urged pushed for faster deployment of additions troops to gain the upper hand over the Taliban. A White House official said that Obama responded: "No one feels more urgency to get this right than I do."
The article touched an important issue but left it unanswered. "In part Obama is seeking to clarify what the aims now are of a war launched by his predecessor to topple the Taliban, deny al-Qaida a base and hunt Osama bin Laden." "The Wall Street Journal reports that Obama is reading Lessons in Disaster, a book about how a former national security adviser of great intellect and reputation, McGeorge Bundy, so badly advised two presidents on the Vietnam war."
A review of Afghan situation http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/obama-administration should help reader understand Obama´s challenge. He as president has to juggle national pride vs. spectacle of defeat on one end of the spectrum with deepening recession and soaring unemployment on the other end. In middle of all this is the money, that Obama needs to address economic mess, unemployment and fund the now 97-month-old Afghan war.
If the aim of war was to deny Chinese influence in the region or avert rise of multi-polar world: both have been realized way back. If it was democracy, rigged Afgan election is case in point. If it was winning hearts and mind read the news "Armed violence kills 2,000 a day" shows that US contributes 52.3 percent to global armament export http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-42960920091007. American media´s failure to admit it or print it will not change ground realities. An ordinary person wants to see an end to the unending cycle of death, destruction and poverty.
EU and most of US NATO allies have withdrawn their troops from Afghanistan or plan to do so in near and distant future. It leaves Obama alone to support and fight Bush´s war against terrorism. Bush Jr. is relaxing in Texas and majority of his Republican supporters and allies are enjoying rewards of mostly ill-gotten wealth; stashed away in offshore tax havens. Thanks to Obama´s poor handling, Washington could only get details of only less than 6000 accounts out of reportedly total 57,000 American account holders evading taxes back home.
In Afghanistan itself, Talibans have turned against America because they feel betrayed. Washington first used them against former Soviet Union to defeat its staunch enemy, then abandoned war ravaged Afghanistan and for the last eight year they are being attacked and killed mercilessly. For majority of foot- soldier Talibans who are unable to understand bigger picture it boils down to war between infidels and Islam.
The corrupt Afghan regime, leaving locals at the mercy of warlords, corruption and ever expanding drug trade has left average Afghan man, woman and child disappointed, frustrated and confused. The second Afghan generation like their ancestors fail to understand why they are being punished and when will all this end? USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979.
Gates may silence Gen. McChrystal for his criticism of afghan situation and call for more troops but it will not solve the Afghan situation permanently. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/06/obama-mcchrystal-afghanistan Obama will have to ask right questions to find a way out of Afghan mess.
Obama must ask those who aren´t making money out of the Afghan war. He should ask the military families and he must ask the world human rights organizations. He must ask average Pakistanis, Europeans and Scandinavians to understand Afghanistan.
Personally, I think average person from a developing world braving corruption, exploitation and poverty looks up to America as country of hopes and dreams. A model that he or she hopes is eventually going to be adopted in his or her country. They never expected or expect merciless American war machine to attack them and kill their dear and near ones without warning and or reason. It confuses them. It alienates them. However, what hurts them most is the American betrayal that preaches love, respect for law and peace but acts otherwise.
Obama therefore has to understand that few thousand Talibans cannot challenge might of a nuclear state. Their threat, like Iraqi WMD is a propped up threat. An average Asian, European like its American counterpart understands the drama being enacted to maintain US occupation in the region to protect its geo-strategic interests against China, Russia and EU.
History shows that peace, respect for law and tolerance not wars have secured economic and military interests. Similarly, humans have never been truly tamed or forced to abandon their beliefs. It is the respect of fellow beings that distinguishes modern world from the dark ages. It is the respect for rule of law that has allowed mankind to progress form a free world.
Obama and Democrats should engage in unconditional dialogue with all concerned in Afghanistan and Pakistan to end Afghan war. Obama should rely on civil courts, police and local constitutions to fight anti-state elements, withdraw American forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, and use the funds to support local economy and millions of unemployed Americans. The recent history shows that use of military force, stifling of local laws and media have only fueled corruption, lawlessness and extremism, which in turn alienate masses from the invaders and local leaders who support the invaders.
Finally, US should use goodwill to win its share in global markets, which no amount of military action can secure. A stronger global economy serves everyone´s interest. It would therefore be interesting to see Obama making history as fate of millions of Asians hangs in balance. Individually, I think Obama has to acknowledge truth to reach right decisions. In all probability it was g
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