A classified Pentagon report urges President Barack Obama to shift U.S. military strategy in Afghanistan, de-emphasizing democracy-building and concentrating more on targeting Taliban and al-Qaida sanctuaries inside Pakistan with the aid of Pakistani military forces. Full Story »
Posted by Peter L. Combs
This is basically a public airing of a Pentagon study with a military mindset. When your tools are hammers, everything looks like a nail. There are no views from the state department, the Afghanis, nor other countries in the region.
The report seems lacking in insight, and advocates for deepening the quagmire in Afghanistan. There is no advice for government corruption, armed warlords, the opium trade, lack of a justice system, security for the residents, schools, healthcare, water, nor electricity. Just visions of how to kill more people identified as enemies.
This is a report, based principally on unnamed sources, concerning a Pentagon reassessment of Afghanistan strategy. The thrust is fairly consistent with statements made by Gates and others on the record but there is not much new or concrete here.
A calculated leak, nothing more. Doesn't say how NBC found out about this report -- probably in an off-the-record conference with other news organizations present. No analysis. Coy with valuable information.
A well sourced and multidirectional view of issues surrounding the deteriorating situation in Afganistan and Pakistan's irregular attempts to placate the US while avoiding the wrath of al-Qaida.
The latest poll out of Afghanistan shows more than two Afghans want a reduction in US/Nato forces, for every Afghan wanting an increase in force levels. What we have is a classic quagmire, where efforts to "win" lose even more ground, and cost scores of billions of US taxpayer dollars. Why not let Iran, Russia and China deal with the Afghan situation?
With anonymous sources form the military, and the Obama Administration playing it close to the vest, we really have no idea what the policy in Afgan., will be. We do know that whatever policy they decide on, Pakistan will be up to it's neck in the decision.
If the game plan involves re-building Afgan., then you can bet your house (if you still have one) we will be just like the Russians. After 10 years, they said Bye-Bye to Afgan., and let then fend for themselfs. At this time in our nation, re-building nations just isn't economically feasible.
Totally ignores the failures and corruption in non-military U.S. efforts in Afghanistan. If the aid and 'democracy building' efforts weren't so subverted by greedy and incompetent contractors, the situation might not be so bad.
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