Patrick Cockburn
"......The main American success in Iraq was that, having backed the Shia and the Kurds against the Sunni, the US military did a side deal with the Sunni insurgents to turn on al-Qa’ida. The Sunni needed an agreement with the Americans because they were getting the worse of a civil war with the Shia. The recent bombings were probably Sunni parties, using al-Qa’ida as their messenger, brutally demonstrating to the Iraqi government that they will not be marginalized. The idea, popular in some Washington think tanks, that a few obvious tactical innovations won the war in Iraq, and can do so again in Afghanistan, is wholly misleading and will lure the US and Britain further into the morass."
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Does the "morass" equal the "quagmire?" Because I have just as much disrespect for such sloppy description of what is going on there with the latter and former word.
ReplyDeleteBecase 91% of Afghans according to the 2.9.09 public opinion poll have a negative view of the Taliban; only the elected GIRoA should negotiate with the Taliban, lest the Afghan people feel that America is backing the Taliban against them.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding of the current strategy is increasing trainers, advisers, funding and equipping of the ANA and ANP. Why would this not work? The ANA are very popular and respected among the Afghan people.
Take a break from the disinformation, coprophage, and make your apology.
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