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Eikenberry’s Priorities For Afghanistan

Here’s the highlight reel from soon-to-be-retired Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry’s opening statement during his confirmation hearing to become U.S. ambassador to

Jul 31, 2020
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Here’s the highlight reel from soon-to-be-retired Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry‘s opening statement during his confirmation hearing to become U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass), the committee chairman — who will probably be briefedby special envoy Richard Holbrookeon the Obama administration’s new Afghanistan strategy this afternoon — laid out the counterinsurgency-for-counterterrorism approachby saying that the “goal” is to ensure “Afghanistan never again becomes a staging ground” for attacks on the U.S., and the means to do so includes “improving governance at all levels” and “a robust commitment of coalition troops and coalition aid.”
Eikenberry pledges a close relationship with the U.S. military, development workers, civilian U.S. agencies and international partners, “to ensure all elements of national power are brought to bear in mutually reinforcing ways,” which, while uncontroversial, has been lacking in Afghanistan. Eikenberry’s first substantive point: bolstering the Afghan security forces. “The way ahead is clear, but the resources to date have been insufficient,” in terms of “reducing corruption and strengthening the rule of law.” Development and aid “must be channeled to those areas where the insurgency” is greatest, and he blasts inefficiency and disappeared resources, as a recent GAO report pointed out.
“I will work closely with Ambassadors Holbrooke and Ambassador Patterson in Islamabad.” And then he addresses the Afghans: “With our support, you’ll further develop capable governance, and a strong patriotic Army.” When you “achieve your goals, international terrorists will no longer find” a place in Afghanistan, and “here is where your interests, our interests and international interests all converge.”
Also, Frank Ricciardone, who’ll be a top Eikenberry and U.N. deputy in Kabul, is at the hearing.
Dexter Cooke

Dexter Cooke

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Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide. He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations. As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all. Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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