Weak allies limit Obama's options

[TomCADem]

Source: Washington Post

In the final stages of its deliberations over a new war strategy, the administration's attention has shifted to the two governments whose cooperation and competence are considered essential to success -- Afghanistan and Pakistan.

National security adviser James L. Jones arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for a personal update on whether Pakistan's government and military are willing and able to play the crucial role envisioned for them in each of the several options President Obama is considering. One scenario in particular, in which increased numbers of U.S. ground troops would battle the Taliban in southern Afghanistan while insurgents in the north and east are attacked from the air, requires an aggressive companion effort by the Pakistani military along the border.

Jones also wants a close reading on the stability of the government in Pakistan, where President Asif Ali Zardari is being buffeted by political and military challenges and is under strong public pressure not to bow to perceived U.S. demands.

In Afghanistan, long-standing administration concerns about newly reelected President Hamid Karzai were spotlighted this week with the disclosure of warnings from U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry about deploying any new troops. In cables to Washington, Eikenberry said the strategy decision should be delayed until Karzai demonstrates his willingness to end corruption and mismanagement.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/12/AR2009111209563.html

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The interesting thing is that Eikenberry was considered to be somewhat hawkish under Bush, yet here he is urging caution, rather than just give Karzai a blank check.

[msongs]

1. oh I thought they meant democrats in congress who act like republicans lol nt

[RaRa]

2. my god - i thought the same thing, really! n/t

[Salviati]

3. Me three

lol...sigh

[Alcibiades]

4. This sounds like the likely option:

"One of the options Obama is weighing would concentrate U.S. counterinsurgency efforts in southern Afghanistan, where low-level Taliban fighters are considered more receptive to reconciliation with the government. At the same time, Haqqani's forces would be attacked from the air and by U.S. Special Forces units conducting operations with Pakistani counterparts across the border. This "hybrid" option calls for about 20,000 new U.S. troops -- the middle ground among proposals U.S. military planners have offered Obama."

Two other points:

1. Any strategy that relies upon Karzai or anyone else weeding corruption out of Afghanistan is doomed to fail.

2. James L. Jones. Jim Jones? US AfPak strategy is being devised by Jim Jones? Don't even touch the Flavor Aid.