Thoughts & Commentary on the Obama Administration

[Lemur]

I don't see your choices as the only possibilities - ie that we have to choose between a decade plus of occupation or pulling out.

That's not what I asked.

There's no doubt that we can re-make Afghanistan into something resembling a nation-state if we invest heavily in men and money for the next ten to twenty years. Is this something we ought to do? Are there alternative strategies?

• What level of political stability would be sufficient for our counterinsurgency goals?
• If the Karzai government is too corrupt and ineffective, is there a replacement group in Afghanistan or not?
• If not, what can we do about it?
• How long might it take to achieve minimal political stability?
• How long are we prepared to be there, and at what cost?
• What will success look like? (Please be realistic, and don't say "A functioning representative democracy," 'cause that is not happening in the next decade.)

[Crazed Rabbit]

That's not what I asked.

Lemur, most of your questions I'd be guessing answers.

Interesting. The authors never mentioned affirmative action, but that's the first thing both of you reached for.

I just saw Sasaki use it and it seemed logical. Really, I need more info and a definition of terms before I'm willing to accept what the study says. Funny you try too make something out of it.

EDIT: More of Obama's great diplomacy: Barack Obama's churlishness is unforgivable

The juxtaposition on our front page this morning is striking. We carry a photograph of Acting Sgt Michael Lockett - who was killed in Helmand on Monday - receiving the Military Cross from the Queen in June, 2008. He was the 217th British soldier to die in the Afghan conflict. Alongside the picture, we read that the Prime Minister was forced to dash through the kitchens of the UN in New York to secure a few minutes “face time” with President Obama after five requests for a sit-down meeting were rejected by the White House.
...
Admittedly, part of the problem was Downing Street’s over-anxiety to secure a face-to-face meeting for domestic political purposes but the White House should still have been more obliging. Mr Obama’s churlishness is fresh evidence that the US/UK special relationship is a one-way street.

CR