Tag: taliban

Questioning COIN Assumptions in Afghanistan

Recently, Gen. David Petraeus issued new guidance for the members of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) operating in Afghanistan. This guidance differed little from the direction offered by his fired predecessor, Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Petraeus’s memorandum states, “Secure and serve the population. The decisive terrain is the human terrain. The people are the … Continue reading “Questioning COIN Assumptions in Afghanistan”

What to Do About the Wars

As President Obama pooh-poohed as old news the many WikiLeaks documents showing the sad state of the conflict in Afghanistan, the chief executive also began an entire month of crowing about keeping his campaign promise to “bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end.” But in both wars, the president’s strategies are flawed and … Continue reading “What to Do About the Wars”

Poll: Pakistanis Dislike US, Taliban, and al-Qaeda

The recent WikiLeaks dump of war-related documents has brought little new to the debate over Washington’s ongoing military involvement in Afghanistan, but allegations that Pakistan’s intelligence services are aiding the Taliban has brought renewed attention to U.S. concerns over its reliance on Islamabad in battling Taliban and al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. New polling data released … Continue reading “Poll: Pakistanis Dislike US, Taliban, and al-Qaeda”

The Main Effect of the WikiLeaks Documents Is Political

The 92,000 classified U.S. government documents leaked to WikiLeaks.org didn’t reveal many new shocking truths about the U.S. military quagmire in Afghanistan. The facts on the ground have been well known publicly for some time – that the Taliban adversary is getting stronger and is being actively assisted by a faux ally (Pakistan) to whom … Continue reading “The Main Effect of the WikiLeaks Documents Is Political”

Taliban’s Time Horizon Longer Than America’s

In contrast to World War II and Desert Storm – which had clear goals, even though those of the latter were limited – the war in Afghanistan resembles the Spanish-American War and the Vietnam War. In the former, the goal changed from defeating the Spanish in a conventional war to subduing Philippine guerrillas in order … Continue reading “Taliban’s Time Horizon Longer Than America’s”

Obama, Karzai Still Split on Peace Talks with Taliban

U.S. President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai sought to portray a united front on the issue of a political settlement with the Taliban in their joint press conference Wednesday. But their comments underlined the deep rift that divides Karzai and the United States over the issue. Karzai obtained Obama’s approval for the peace … Continue reading “Obama, Karzai Still Split on Peace Talks with Taliban”

94 Percent of Kandaharis Want Peace Talks, Not War

An opinion survey of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province funded by the U.S. Army has revealed that 94 percent of respondents support negotiating with the Taliban over military confrontation with the insurgent group and 85 percent regard the Taliban as "our Afghan brothers." The survey, conducted by a private U.S. contractor last December, covered Kandahar City and … Continue reading “94 Percent of Kandaharis Want Peace Talks, Not War”

Attacks Bring Pakistan Aid Work to Virtual Halt

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Bomb attacks and threats to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have brought development work to a virtual halt in the lawless, volatile environment that is the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), located near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. The latest in the series of attacks on the offices of NGOs occurred on Mar. 10, when … Continue reading “Attacks Bring Pakistan Aid Work to Virtual Halt”

Policy Battle Over Afghan Peace Talks Intensifies

The struggle within the Barack Obama administration over Afghanistan policy entered a new phase when the president suggested at a meeting of his “war cabinet” Friday that it might be time to start negotiations with the Taliban, according to a report in the New York Times Saturday. Obama said that the success of the recent … Continue reading “Policy Battle Over Afghan Peace Talks Intensifies”

Jailed Taliban Leader Still a Pakistani Asset

Contrary to initial U.S. suggestions that it signals reduced Pakistani support for the Taliban, the detention of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the operational leader of the Afghan Taliban, represents a shift by Pakistan to more open support for the Taliban in preparation for a peace settlement and U.S. withdrawal. Statements by Pakistani officials to journalists … Continue reading “Jailed Taliban Leader Still a Pakistani Asset”