Obama asks for study on Regional leaders before Troop decision

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | October 29, 2009 at 07:59 am

180 views | 38 Recommendations | 13 comments

The Washington Post reports this morning that President Obama has asked a small group of senior advisers led by VP Joe Biden to conduct a study on what regions could be more effective as partners of the United States.

According to the Washington Post, the detail that Obama is now seeking shows its trend to turn to Provincial governors and tribal leaders as potentially more effective partners than a fraud ridden central government that is seen as weak by the population.

This move, no doubt, will be welcomed as the right thing to do by his supporters, but will reinforce that he is dithering by those that believe he is using another delaying tactic to move his domestic agenda forward.

One would think that General McChrystal would have considered these points in his strategic review, which had winning the hearts and minds as a goal.

General McChrystal has asked for up to 40,000 additional troops, a recommendation supported by the NATO Secretary General and NATO Defence Ministers.

It has also been reported that Admiral Mullin and General Petraeus have endorsed McChrystal's report.

In view of the Karzai government record and the alleged fraud during the recent election, it would appear, from the outside, that these are questions that need to be answered prior to proceeding with a new strategy in Afghanistan.

Where does the American left and right stand on this new development? I.ll let the reader be the judge.

Obama made the request in a meeting Monday with Vice President Biden and a small group of senior advisers helping him decide whether to expand the war. The detail he is now seeking also reflects the administration's turn toward Afghanistan's provincial governors, tribal leaders and local militias as potentially more effective partners in the effort than a historically weak central government that is confronting questions of legitimacy after the flawed Aug. 20 presidential election.

"This is obviously a complicated security environment in Afghanistan, and the president wants the clearest possible understanding of what the challenges are to our forces and what is required to meet that challenge," said a senior administration official who has participated in the Afghanistan policy review and spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss it. "Any successful and sustainable strategy must clearly align the resources we provide with the goals we are trying to achieve."

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a211423

at 08:20 on October 29th, 2009

I agree with the philosophy of inclusion of provincial governors and tribal leaders encouraging movement toward representative form of governance; however, they should be able to work with the United States and with the elected president of Afghanistan after the elections are finalized. A tribal country like Afghanistan with diverse regions that are geographically separated and isolated from each other as well as from Kabul can benefit from having their views and needs recognized by us and by their central government.

General McCrystal's stratedy of winning hearts and minds by living in the villages is a noble one, and support this whole heartedly. This stratedgy together with better regional representation as outlined by the administration can procede in a complimentary fashion, which supports the concept of not focusing solely on military solutions. Connections that are established now between the government and the regions will hopefully be sustainable ones long after the military has left Afghanistan.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 08:31 on October 29th, 2009

I agree. The military is only a means to achieve a political solution. As long as the central government in Afghanistan cannot extend its reach beyond Kabul, nation building is a pipe dream. The United States should assist the Afghan government in getting more influence in the provinces. I don't perceive a problem with the study as long as it makes the central government inclusive and does not undermine it. I think a strong central government, accepted by the Provincial Governors, is key to this.

Mritunjay

at 08:24 on October 29th, 2009

This also becomes important with issues like involvement of druglords in the war and their links with top-Afghan leaders.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 08:35 on October 29th, 2009

Concur, efforts should be made to be all inclusive. The more governors and drug lords can be brought on side, the more likely it is for this mission to succeed. I think communication, not bullets will lead to success.

a211423

at 08:39 on October 29th, 2009

Mritujay

The drug issues are going to have to be dealt with soon. We have not discussed here the need to switch from a drug capital to an economy that is sustainable from valid industry. This can only begin when the government has no stake in continuing the drug trade, and sufficient infrastructure can provide jobs for its citizens. Advancing toward regional representation brings the Afghan people one step closer to having their needs recognized and addressed and given opportunities for work outside the drug trade.

Mritunjay

at 13:57 on October 29th, 2009

Precisely what I meant. If the govt. is predominantly geoing to get funded by drug money or "needs" support of the druglords/drug money; I doubt how much they would be willing to fight it. On the other hand it's the same revenue source taht is funding the bullets that are killing the forces and common people.

Alternative and sustainable economic propositions need to be created else neither drug nor terrorists can be wiped out.

Albert Milliron

at 08:57 on October 29th, 2009

Thanks for your analysis

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 09:05 on October 29th, 2009

Thank you politisite:)

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 15:01 on October 29th, 2009

QH Thanks for commenting:)

marianmo

at 15:44 on October 29th, 2009

ty for this story

Rory Cripps

at 17:12 on October 29th, 2009

ACP: Thanks for the story and the info! I think that the Obama Administration should make a final determination as to who the bad guys are in Afghanistan and then focus on killing them and capturing them. That would send a strong message to the rest of the population about who not to associate with and how to behave. Of course, in order to achieve that, at least 100,000 more American, Canadian, and NATO troops would have to be deployed along with orders to fire upon anyone that is deemed to be an enemy combatant and let the chips fall where they may. In my armchair general's opinion, brute force and no mercy is about the only effective means to win hearts and minds in Afghanistan. Sounds cruel, heartless, and utterly barbaric doesn't it? LOL!