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| The Afghanistan Panic |
| 2009-09-03 |
| WSJ Opinion-We can still win a counterinsurgency, but not on the cheap. Opposition to the war is rising, even in the President's own party and even before his new military strategy has been fully implemented. Our ally's leaders look weak and corrupt, Americans are increasingly opposed to the war, and prominent politicians and columnists are saying it is time to leave and redeploy our forces to focus on the real danger to the U.S., which is from al Qaeda. Sound familiar? That was roughly the state of play regarding Iraq in September 2007, even as General David Petraeus's troop surge and counterinsurgency strategy were beginning to work in Baghdad and the Sunni Triangle. Despite a few shaky moments, President Bush stuck with it, and a looming U.S. defeat became a victory. We are now approaching a similar pass in Afghanistan, amid rising doubts about the wisdom of continuing that war nearly eight years after 9/11. Read the rest of the article for a good summary of the present situation. Last two paragraphs follow. In any case, the fight in Afghanistan is not about nation building or turning a tribal state into Westminster. The goal is to provide enough stability and Afghan support to prevent the country from once again becoming a sanctuary for terrorists who could attack the U.S. In short, this is a fight in our strategic interests. Leaving Afghanistan in its current state would be a defeat in the larger war on terror, which would encourage jihadists everywhere. Yes, there is still a War On Terror. President Obama may not want to spend any political capital on Afghanistan, but he has no choice. The main job of his generals should be to win the war, not also to have to sell it, especially when the main opposition so far is emerging from the President's own left-flank. The opposition will also grow on the right if Americans conclude he isn't providing the forces or personal leadership needed to win. Now is the time for Mr. Obama to give his generals everything they need to defeat the Taliban, or leave and explain why he's concluded that Afghanistan is no longer worth the fight. |
| Posted by:tipover |
| #1 If Karzai loses the presidental election, as well he might. The Pashtun will feel even more alienated and things will get worse. The Pushtun are a tribal society with blood feuds the go on for generations. Very different from the mostly urbanized Sunnis in Iraq. In Iraq you were fighting a few hundred to a few thousands militants. In Afghanistan you are fighting 40 million Pushtun. Otherwise, a surge in Afghanistan is typical of the Left. Copy something they don't understand, then blame someone else when it doesn't work. |
| Posted by: Phil_B 2009-09-03 12:41 |