"The U.S. has certainly tried to undermine Karzai's leadership," said Haroun Mir, director of Afghanistan's Center for Research and Policy Studies. But the failure of rival candidates to unite on a ticket dashed what appeared to many observers to be a U.S. hope of an opposition coalition. Full Story »
Posted by Manfred Ostrowski
What an odd relationship the United States government has with Karzai. As Obama escalates troop levels in Afghanistan, will he receive the same hand holding he did under Bush? Appears not. But this article doesn't seem to touch on Karzai's ability to continue his own manipulating, U.S. envoys be damned.
Decent piece looking at the Afghan elections from an American foreign policy. Mentions Karzai's shortcomings without really exploring them in depth.
“Because they couldn’t construct a plan to replace Karzai, I think they toned down the criticism and kept the option open of working with Karzai, should he get ... More »
The article presents the view of U.S. administration officials and their interests concerning Afghan elections. Calling for "fair and free elections", officials do not hide their strategic aim to legitimize an accountable Afghan government. Although Afghans have yet to vote, the article mentions U.S. plans aimed at installing American "mentors" and a chief executive position under Karzai.
I do not expect "fair and free elections" that would win the Afghan people which are still opposed to Karzai, but limited participation, allegations of fraud, and continuing violence. People around the world will compare elections in Iran and Afghanistan: Is there a choice of real opposition?
US support for Karzai has been inconsistent of late, to say the least. Article does not mention Karzai's brother spends his time in Saudi Arabia trying to put together a way to buy off the Taleban factions that are involved in the insurgency. Article does not mention Karzai himself thinks adding more US troops to Afghanistan will not improve security.
Karzai seems the best available person to attempt this very difficult program of lowering the level of violence in Afghanistan. Iran and Russia both say that putting more US troops into Afghanistan will not improve security. This position, of course, is shared by the president of the country.
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