In Leaning on Karzai, U.S. Has Limited Leverage

[ShockediSay]

Source: NYTimes

“The argument that we could pull out of Afghanistan if Karzai doesn’t do what we say is stupid. We couldn’t get the Pakistanis to fight if we leave Afghanistan; we couldn’t accomplish what we’ve set out to do. And Karzai knows that.”

As Mr. Obama nears the end of his review of American strategy in Afghanistan, the issue of how he will prod, cajole or bully Mr. Karzai into taking action on matters he has avoided for the past five years has been catapulted to the center of the discussion.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/world/asia/12karzai.html

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IMHO, the solution is simple: start w/ lower level Afghan officials sticking their hand out for a bribe, and shoot it, Lone Ranger style.

Maybe Karzai needs to take one for the team.

[placton]

1. LEAVE THE DAMN COUNTRY - NOW n/t

[ShortnFiery]

2. But he's our beloved Thug and the hands down winner: The Mayor of Kabul.

[ShortnFiery]

3. Bullshit! = "We couldn’t get the Pakistanis to fight if we leave Afghanistan "

If we leave Afghanistan, the Taliban fighters would RE-establish themselves in Afghanistan and our buddies in Pakistan would have a MUCH EASIER TASK securing their country.

This is such bullshit! We only foment more HATRED each and every day we occupy these two nations.

[Demeter]

4. I Had Hopes We WereTrying To Get Them to STOP FIghting

silly me. Must be my pacifism/progressive/liberalism showing.