Obama’s Afghanistan Refocus
The Afghanistan war is about to focus on al-Qaeda again: While emphasizing the importance of continuing U.S. operations against Pakistan-based Taliban
Jul 31, 202015.8K Shares2.6M Views
The Afghanistan war is about to focus on al-Qaeda again:
While emphasizing the importance of continuing U.S. operations against Pakistan-based Taliban fighters who attack U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the incoming administration intends to remind Americans how the fight against Islamist extremists began — on Sept. 11, 2001, before the Afghanistan and Iraq wars — and to underscore that al-Qaeda remains the nation’s highest priority. “This is our enemy,” one adviser said of bin Laden, “and he should be our principal target.”
That’s a quote given to Karen DeYoung of The Washington Post in the course of a great piecethat’s rather congruent with a post I wrote recently outlining a potential new Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy.
Obama wants to see the Karzai-Taliban talks peel off as many reconcilable Taliban as possible, fraying the infrastructure that keeps bin Laden a free man, while seeing if Iran can play the constructive role in Afghanistan it’s tried to play for years, and increasing U.S. forces. According to the piece, there’s a subtle reassessment in the military of the usefulness of the increasingly unpopular and impotent Hamid Karzai*himself, *as well as a frustration over the lassitude of many NATO partner-countries. Meanwhile, Petraeus is open to asking “how much is enough,” nation-building-wise, in Afghanistan.
All this requires the caveat that the Taliban-negotiation element relies on an as-yet-untested factual premise, namely that there are Taliban elements that would negotiate seriously. And while you can’t really go further with this approach unless you test that premise — the Afghan-Pakistan joint mini-jirga is geared to do that — it’s worth asking: what’s Plan B? What if the talks don’t yield anything? What are the administration’s options then?
Camilo Wood
Reviewer
Camilo Wood has over two decades of experience as a writer and journalist, specializing in finance and economics. With a degree in Economics and a background in financial research and analysis, Camilo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his writing.
Throughout his career, Camilo has contributed to numerous publications, covering a wide range of topics such as global economic trends, investment strategies, and market analysis. His articles are recognized for their insightful analysis and clear explanations, making complex financial concepts accessible to readers.
Camilo's experience includes working in roles related to financial reporting, analysis, and commentary, allowing him to provide readers with accurate and trustworthy information. His dedication to journalistic integrity and commitment to delivering high-quality content make him a trusted voice in the fields of finance and journalism.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles