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Washington Ought To Listen....
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There is still work ahead....
On the sidelines of the Hague Meetings, Mrs. Clinton noted that Richard Holbrooke and Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister had a brief but cordial meeting agreeing to stay in touch. However the report was denied by the Iranian Embassy at the Hague. According to a report in the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency Website, there were meetings held with other Foreign Ministers--none with Mr. Holbrooke.
Not withstanding this posturing, I view the presence of a Senior Iranian Official as a welcome development. Iran is a major player and has a strong interest in a stable and viable Afghanistan. There is no way but to seek the necessar rapproachment with Iran
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Is the Message Coming Through?
I have been making the rounds of the Sunday Talk Shows. NBC and ABC had Tim Geitner on and CBS' Face the Nation had the President on as well: (available at http://www.cbsnews.com).
As I listened to the Face The Nation Interview, I was glad that Bob Schieffer brought up Mexico. I have regarded Mexico as the soft underbelly that is indeed a major threat to the security of the United States. I did also find Meet the Press quite insightful in explaining in layman's terms how the plan is supposed to work. As I listened to all the shows, the central message I heard was that the Obama Adminstration views the strategies on both the economy and Afghanistan was on track. Time will only tell
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Karzai has moved up the election date in Afghanistan. He seems to have lost all sense of reason. I find it irnoic that the Massoud family has turned against him . Wali Massoud, one of Ahmad Shah Massoud's Brothers, told a story about Karzai going to see him in London asking for directions to get to Afghanistan seven years ago. If Ahmad Zia Massoud, The Vice President and his brother Wali have seen the light, it gives me hope. Karzai has clearly ran Afghanistan to the ground. It will be interesting to see what the Afghan Electoral Commision decides on Thursday.
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Will This Nightmare Ever End?
Afghanistan is Obama's War now. The surge in Afghanistan has been welcomed by the Force Commander, General McKernan. But, the problem is that the National Intelligence Estimate for Afghanistan reports that the Afghan Government controls just 10% of the country. The insurgency controls the rest. The Commander has said that at least 60,000 US Troops are needed for a number of years. This is a quaqmire that will continue to consume the United States.
What is for certain, in my view, is that the World is paying a heavy price for the misguided policies of the 80's that was done under the guise of fighting communism. I would argue that no Afghan State exists since the overthrow of Mohammad Davoud. Propping up the useless Karzai will only add fuel to the fire. As I have written before, it appears that the Obama Adminstration seems to understand that Karzai is part of the problem, not part of the solution. Yet, somehow Karzai seems to continue to be fetted by US Officials
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Why even waste time.....
I just reviewed reports that Karzai's "proposals" will be part of the proposed Obama Strategic Review of the options in Afghanistan. I laughed!!!
It is a big mistake to waste time on this man. He has been President for seven years. I am trying to understand what value does he bring to the table. if he had any sway over Afghanistan, the country would have been a lot better off than it is now. The drug trade is flourishing, the man can't even control his capital city, his brother is a major smuggler--and the Adminstration wants to listen to him. People continue to be killed every day as this tragedy unfolds
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I am not surprised at the Republicans...
The President Arrives For His First Day....A Busy One too!!!
The first day of the Obama Adminstration has begun. The President began his day by attending the National Prayer Service and got down to work. I saw him when he met with the White House and signed off on the new Ethics Rules. He has also been meeting with the Economics and National Security Teams. They have hit the ground running. Unfortunately, the Senate has not done the job by confirming the nominees. At least three key members are yet to be confirmed. A new Era has truly begun
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..and now the real work begins......
A New Dawn Has Arrived
Barack Hussein Obama is now the 44th President of the United States. Throughout my lifetime, I have had the privilege to read on the traditions and was finally able to be a true witness to this momentous transfer of power due to the power of technology. I have continued to marvel at how someone with so much power gives it up so willingly because the people are truly sovereign in America. This was quite moving when the President and the First Lady escorted Former Mr. and Mrs. Bush
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Eagerly Awaiting The Seize Fire.....
As the bombing and the rocket firing was continuing, Tipzi Livni got U.S. guarantees on a prevention of Hamas rearming. Qatar and Mauritania cut their Israeli ties. There are reports coming through stating that Israel is nearing the "end game". I am still trying to understand what the "end game" is.
As the talking is going on, I continue to get reports on the grim statistics. So far, almost 1200 people are dead and over 5,000 have been wounded. I just saw a twitter update from Al Jazeera'z Zeina Awad noting, "...one of the biggest air strikes to date". Gaza's infrastructure has totally collapsed. I saw reports on two Israeli Human Rights groups petitoning the Israeli Supreme Court to compel the Army to begin allowing humanitarian aid to the civilans. There is of course a report on another UN school again being hit with injuries
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Hopefully He Has Told All to Get their Act Together
Joe Biden is on the road to Pakistan and Afghanistan. He has been all smiles and from what I saw, even got a medal in Pakistan:
Why are these Guys Smiling?
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...and Karzai wants to do what???
The world headlines are being dominated by the attacks in Mumbai. Right now, I have been listening to Al Jazeera, BBC & France24 assessing what is going on. Whomever these animals are, the fact that they have taken civilians as hostages is simply nerve wracking. These attacks were daring and the implications will be felt for a long time. But, there are other flashpoints as well. Afghanistan was yet again in the news. The Taliban just claimed responsbility for an attack right near the U.S. Embassy in Kabul!!! There was a car bomb in the middle of the city. I can't even phantom the nerve that the useless President of Afghanistan has. He "demanded" a withdrawal timetable for Foreign Troops. Yet, after all money and all the training, the Taliban can do whatever it wants. I hope that there is more fresh and innovative thinking on the part of the Western Alliance than simply throwing more soldiers. That can't be the answer.
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It shows how pathetic the man is
I wrote earlier about the useless Karzai offering to meet w/Mullah Omar. I actually tracked down and listened to his entire comment. To paraphase the fool, he said that if the foreign powers did not like his proposal, they can remove him. He just admitted that he is just a simple stooge and has no moral basis to occupy the position. Because of this, I hope the Foreign Powers who have kept him as a nominal figurehead will in fact remove the idiot. All of us have committed our treasure and our blood for Afghanistan. So far, nothing has happened. It broke my heart when walking around the local memorial to the fallen erected at Mission Viejo City Hall in Mission Viejo, California. The men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice were from all walks of life. They were fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daugthers who were forever lost to all us. Yet, we have to continue to prop up a useless fool who readily admits that he has lost all crediblity. I do take comfort in Barack Obama having noted that there are problems with the people in charge in Afghanistan. This really proved to me why the Taliban has gained as it has. It is not because NATO has not tried. It is because NATO can't do it alone.
January 20th cannot arrive fast enough so that we can hopefully see some movement. TIme is of the essence. Barack Obama seems to realize that.
Karzai wants to see Mullah Omar!! My first reaction when I see the dispatches was, so what???? The man has no crediblity and no mandate. Mullah Omar cotrols 80% of Afghanistan. Why would Mullah Omar want to talk to Karzai? karzai is a useless, corrupt fool who is a stooge. The Taliban are not a solution, either. But, the Afghan Government exists in name only. The Taliban, to me, need to be also have a battle for the hearts and minds. If they truly want to be an alterative, they have to work on building schools, creating a stable environment, elevate the rights of women and not go around destroying schools. They are not a viable alternative. But, what is there now is not working either. All that is happening is that innocent civilians and poor soldiers are dying to no avail. I would be quite interested to see what the reaction of the Taliban is.
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Why is the world wasting its' time?
The so-called President of Afghanistan is in London. I was just listening to him on the BBC. He wants resources for the Afghan Government to do its' job to overcome drugs, the taliban threat and everything else. The question I have for the idiot is this: what do you think the world has done over the past seven years? The world has paid a heavy price. Yet the useless fool keeps asking for more. Until the fool is no more, Afghanistan will not change. As for the Taliban, they now seem to understand how to play the publicity game. There was a spokesman actually talking to the BBC. The Taliban are stronger while the world figures out what to do. At least Barack Obama is thinking about a bit more than just throwing more soldiers at the problem.
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Can anyone do anything about it?
I can't help but be worried. As I continue to write about our world, I want to remain hopeful. But, the bad news continues coming in. The Dow lost over 300 points on Friday. As America continues to be in the midst of a Presidential Campaign, the world seems to be falling apart. BBC is reporting on a very disturbing development in Colombia threatens to undermine all that seems to have been achieved in the so-called war on drugs. A number of Army colonels have been sacked because they apparently kidnapped homeless men and then killed them to secure body counts and in turn promotions. Colombia was the same country, of course, that pulled off the release of Ingrid Betancourt and others using the emblems of the International commitee for the Red Cross. I view it as a bothersome development because it will undermine the very perilous nature of achievements made in the war on drugs that the world seems to be losing. Look at what is going on in Mexico. I regard Uribe as the ultimate teflon, though. I think he would muddle through as he has through other crisis.
The more worrisome development, though, is the killing of foreigners in the center of the Afghan capital, Kabul. Afghanistan is on fire. Karzai is useless and is a lost case. I am heartened by Joe Klein's comments on Time.com about Barack Obama's views. According to Klein, Barack Obama (and General Petreaus) are in favor of negotiations with the Taliban. I would be interested in any alternative anyone could offer. Right now, I see none
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At least he understands....
Defense Secretary Gates said that the United States is ready for an eventual political settlement with the Taliban. Secretary Gates seems to be realizing what many (including this humble observer) have been saying that the situation in Afghanistan is hopeless. The Taliban are not angels. They are living off the Heroin Trade and smuggling. But they have sway over 80% of the country. Karzai is a puppet and a fool. The road to peace will go through the Taliban. I think the Saudis should work to talk some sense into their thick heads so that both Afghanistan and Pakistan can be brought back from the brink. 47 people were killed in a suicide attack in Pakistan yesterday. I wonder when the carnage will stop.
Al Qaeda continues to be resilient, though. It is a cancer. The story in the Washington Post about how resilient it has become is chilling. The story talked about how cheap it was for the terrorists to purchase the material for the bombs used in the London Bombing should be a warning. I know and truly believe that they can be defeated. When there is no opportunity and no hope, it fosters violence. It is the same hopelessness that also fueled the riots in Acre, Israel yesterday as well. . Creating hope and opportunity should be the responsiblity of each and every person. There is no other way!!
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I'm not the one to say...but I told you so....
There is a front page story in today's New York Times about an upcoming National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Afghanistan. It paints a very gloomy picture of what is at hand in Afghanistan. I don't mean to be cynical, but it seems to me that they should have read my reporting and commentary on this very subject. I noted how corrupt the government was, how the Taliban held sway over 80% of the country and how the war has been a failure. Why it took the U.S. Government this long to come to this conclusion is beyond me. But, at least there is an acknowledgment of the problem in Afghanistan. The acknowledgment is the first step. What is next, though? The case for a new approach is ever more important, though. It will require sidelining the useless Karzai who I view as the root of the problem.
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Is it the World's Vietnam??
There has been talk about applying the Iraq "surge principles" to Afghanistan. I have read of commanders complaining about the fact that adequate resources are not available. There was also an overture by the useless Karzai to engage the Saudis to have the Taliban come back to the negotiating table.
First of, as it stands now, the Taliban are winning. Karzai has no crediblity in my view. The Taliban's only requirements is for Foreign Troops to get out of Afghanistan. If that happens, the house of cards built around Karzai is going to collapse. Then, the world is back to square one after all the blood, sweat and tears that has been spent. I view the need to have a political settlement, though, as vital to this disastrous war coming to an end. Fortunately, I am not alone in this assessment. According to a story posted on the London Sunday Times for October 5, The Senior Military commander in Afghanistan for British Forces, Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, noted that a deal with the Taliban should be considered. In addition, the same report notes a memo from a French diplomat quoting the British Ambassador, nothing that the current strategy was "doomed to fail". We all must take note of such doubts and think through a strategy. The shooting war that has pursued has clearly not worked
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September 28th 2008 20:47
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It should never be allowed...
Whenever a Police Officer dies in the line of duty anywhere in the world, he or she is worthy of praise because of the ultimate sacrifice made in the interest of upholding the law. Such a dedicated public servant lost her life in Afghanistan yesterday. Her name was Lt. Colonel Malalai Kakar.
May her sacrifice not be in Vain.......
Where she was killed, to me, was quite signifcant. She was killed in front of her home and her teenage son was seriously wounded and is in a comma. She lived in Kandahar, the home town of the useless so-called President of Afghanistan Karzai and the hotbed of the resurrgent Taliban. Her children are now left without a mother. She was another victim of . the misguided policy that has caused havoc in Afghanistan and has blown up Pakistan. When will it all end
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Mike Pouraryan
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