Tag: afghanistan

The Afghan Curtain Falls More Rapidly

The recent “unpleasantness” in Afghanistan — the killing spree by a U.S. soldier, the burning of Qurans, and desecration of Taliban corpses — has made the quagmire there even more unpopular with the American public, thus causing even superhawks, such Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, to question the American military’s mission there. Santorum, formerly one … Continue reading “The Afghan Curtain Falls More Rapidly”

Who Are the ‘Terrorists’?

In the early morning hours of March 11, a US soldier assigned to “special ops” in Afghanistan, stationed near Kandahar, went into a local village and gunned down 16 people – including nine women and three children. At least three others were wounded. He went from house to house, in the predawn darkness, systematically murdering … Continue reading “Who Are the ‘Terrorists’?”

How the US Fanned the Flames in Afghanistan

Is it all over but the (anti-American) shouting — and the killing? Are the exits finally coming into view? Sometimes, in a moment, the fog lifts, the clouds shift, and you can finally see the landscape ahead with startling clarity. In Afghanistan, Washington may be reaching that moment in a state of panic, horror, and … Continue reading “How the US Fanned the Flames in Afghanistan”

Growing Pessimism on Afghanistan After Quran Burning

While top officials in the Barack Obama administration insist that U.S. strategy in Afghanistan is working, the violent aftermath of last week’s apparently inadvertent burning of copies of the Quran at a military base is fueling growing pessimism about the U.S. and NATO mission there. Some three dozen Afghans were killed in anti-U.S. protests that … Continue reading “Growing Pessimism on Afghanistan After Quran Burning”

Do Afghan Riots Spell E-X-I-T?

It’s got to be hard for most Americans looking at the fleeting images of angry Afghans today shouting “death to America” and not think, “What the hell are we still doing there?” Certainly it’s not a stupid question — in fact it’s a pretty relevant one. After a weekend of our media mavens insipidly wagging … Continue reading “Do Afghan Riots Spell E-X-I-T?”

Cold, Cold Hearts

On Valentine’s Day, opening the little cartoon on the Google page brought up a sentimental animation with Tony Bennett singing “Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?” Here in Dubai, where I’m awaiting a visa to visit Afghanistan, the weather is already warm and humid. But my bags are … Continue reading “Cold, Cold Hearts”

Prisons, Drones, and Black Ops in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, “victory” came early — with the U.S. invasion of 2001. Only then did the trouble begin. Ever since the U.S. occupation managed to revive the Taliban, one of the least popular of popular movements in memory, the official talk, year after year, has been of modest “progress,” of limited “success,” of enemy advances … Continue reading “Prisons, Drones, and Black Ops in Afghanistan”

US Oblivious to Unintended Consequences of Foreign Policy

Since World War II, the impulse of the American foreign policy elite has been to intervene in trouble spots abroad and apparently let God sort out the consequences. The ill effects of such interventions are usually plain to see — if nothing else, after the episodes are over — but the arrogance of the elite … Continue reading “US Oblivious to Unintended Consequences of Foreign Policy”