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| Afghanistan | |
| Change in US Strategy in Afghanistan? | |
| 2008-11-08 | |
| NATO forces continue their assault on Taliban positions in Afghanistan's Kunar province - the latest offensive to crush the resurgent militants. The Taliban has intensified its drive against NATO and Afghan government forces. South Asia expert Steve Coll at the New America Foundation underscores the need for a new U.S. strategy in Afghanistan. "And it needs to reemphasize political and economic development aid," Coll said. "As well as regional diplomatic negotiations." General David Petraeus, who as U.S. Central Command Chief now oversees American operations in Afghanistan, has indicated he favors pursuing an Afghan government-led reconciliation effort with the Taliban. Such a move would include reconciliation with Taliban insurgents both in Afghanistan and Pakistan. A report in the Washington Post says U.S. military officials believe renegade Afghan commander Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and other rebel leaders might be persuaded to stop fighting in exchange for money and greater political influence. Such tactics were used with some success in Iraq, and the report says the U.S. military is considering doing the same in Afghanistan.
But the Taliban has said repeatedly it will not talk with the Afghan government until all foreign troops leave the country. Also, Pakistani newspapers have recently quoted hard-line Taliban leaders as warning that Washington is trying to divide them. They reportedly have vowed never to break up their alliance with al-Qaida. Stephen Cohen at the Brookings Institution says there should be no reconciliation talks unless this alliance is severed -- though he acknowledges such a move is unlikely. "I think, in fact, the Taliban are still dependent on al-Qaida, have a close relationship with al-Qaida and the groups that do directly threaten the U.S.," Cohen said. But others say a U.S. offer to talk to the Taliban, even if the militants are reluctant, is a good strategy. Author and Pakistan expert Shuja Nawaz says the key is to isolate the hardliners. "Changing the nature of the militancy," Nawaz said. "And isolating the few that are now saying that they will not talk." And this opportunity may come over the issue of the upcoming elections. "To divide the Taliban over the question of whether or not to participate in electoral politics," Coll stated. "That would be a part of a successful strategy potentially with the elections in mind." | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #6 Up until this time the donks have been all doom and gloom, engaged in hand-wringing, pants wetting, crying quagmire, and declaring that we have lost in Iraq. All they could talk about was a withdrawal (retreat) at a date certain. If that didn't work, they would just leave. So have they now found a heart, brain, and courage? |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2008-11-08 21:04 |
| #5 the key is to isolate the hardliners It worked didn't it? Sharons taking a nap and now we can have our way with you. We've been planning this for years, seriously, it's been damned expensive but your whinning has made it all worthwhile. Your tears... $500 the gallon... Send COD to: 505 GetAgrip St. Tallahassee, FL USA No leakers excepted. |
| Posted by: .5MT 2008-11-08 08:50 |
| #4 Why don't we just go Roman Empire on their arses? Rhetorical question, because we can't seem to muster the political will. Maybe a bunch of 'peace loving' democrats can get away with actually exterminating these roaches without having to listen to a bunch of bullshit bellyaching about war crimes and civilian casualties and the like. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-11-08 08:22 |
| #3 The poppy trade is a domestic US problem, not an Afghan problem. This is a place where we should delcare victory, withdraw, and on the way out remind them that if we come back we won't be a nice. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-11-08 07:17 |
| #2 You can not talk about reconciliation and a new strategy without factoring in the "poppy trade" and Petreaus knows that. Its the only economy they have and it will not go away but influence every damn thing in Afghanistan. |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2008-11-08 07:06 |
| #1 the key is to isolate the hardliners Now, where did I hear this before? |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2008-11-08 04:29 |