Using Cultural Cues to Guide an Afghan Exit Strategy
David Ignatius, Washington Post | April 6, 2010
The US is trying to implement its "reconciliation and reintegration" strategy to start to bring the war in Afghanistan to a close. ++ This will involve dialogues between the US, Pakistan, and various Afghan parties including Karzai and the Taliban. ++ Recent military successes should not distract the US from its ultimate goal of transferring power to Afghan security forces. ++ The US is trying to work from the bottom up by working with local tribes. ++ "If war is an extension of politics, then to politics it must return."
Tags: | afghanistan war |
afghanistan reconstruction |
taliban |
Taliban negotiations |
reconciliation |
Fri, Apr 9th 2010, 02:38
Patrick Edwin Moran, Wake Forest University, Platinum Contributor (201)
Karzai may call a loya jirga, but those who see it in their interests to oppose a repressive regime can take that opportunity to come together in strengthening constitutional rights that protect the autonomy of individuals and communities. David Ignatius indicates that the U.S. is working constructively in this regard by doing what it can to strengthen local tribes or communities, and, one would hope, to strengthen the cohesive forces among them. It remains an open question whether a perspicacious leadership will emerge that is capable of understanding that no minority is safe unless all minorities are protected.