Progress! Perhaps....?
There we go, the latest political-military suspense is over for the time being. Although there are a few question marks remaining, and even some new ones added. U.S. President Barack Obama has reached his conclusion, and relayed that information to the American public, to the international community. Another 30,000 American troops are to be dispatched to Afghanistan.Remember, if you will, that during the presidential election campaign, Mr. Obama stated his determination to solve that miserable, ongoing dilemma in the war on terror; to prod Pakistan and rescue Afghanistan. Still trying. But on a new tack, more or less. And here's the puzzler; Canada has long made known its intent to pull its troops out of the country by 2011, which information has caused it no little criticism.
It's well enough known that the U.S. administration has attempted, diplomatically, quietly, covertly, to persuade Canada to remain in battle condition, rather than switch over, as is planned to civic construction come 2011. Now here is President Obama informing the American public that their troops will commence abandoning their military mission in Afghanistan by July 2011.
Oops ... if conditions allow. Success or failure. Big order that, given the realities of Afghanistan itself. That President Hamid Karzai, himself having come from the crucible of Taliban awakening, presides over an incompetent, corrupt administration. With an inefficient, inadequate police and military. All of whom the population of the country mistrust and detest.
But no matter. The new troops are to be speedily dispatched in an all-out effort to "...help create the conditions for the United States to transfer responsibility to the Afghans". Moreover the intention is to "...increase our ability to train competent Afghan Security Forces". Currently vastly under-strength, unreliable, uncommitted, and self-absorbed in graft, like the administration.
It is not that the U.S. forces are incapable or unwilling, since they are solidly neither. It's something like shovelling sand into the ocean, something like sympathizing with Sisyphus. A huge, frustrating, thankless and ultimately success-questionable endeavour. Which is no reason, actually, not to proceed. Much may depend on success. The future will convince us.
Trying to think positive: forget about the $6-billion already spent by Washington in an effort to raise and train a usefully-effective Afghan police force. Don't even mention the billions of dollars in Western aid that has mysteriously dissipated without adding one iota to an improvement in living conditions for Afghan citizens.
Concentrate on potentials and determination. And hope that some miracle may occur to suddenly inspire Hamid Karzai and his troop of corrupt advisers and parliamentarians to plug full steam ahead to help the West to achieve some semblance of their presumably mutual goal: a working country that can advance toward the future with pride, dignity and honesty.
Labels: Political Realities, Troublespots, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, December 02, 2009
<< Home