London Conference Exposes Contradictions

Maleeha Lodhi, Fmr. Pakistani Amb. to the US | February 3rd, 2010

Last week’s London conference has reached two major consensuses: there needs to be a 5 year plan to shift security responsibilities to the Afghan people and Taliban members need to be lured out their ranks and into the mainstream. ++ The summit exposed a number of contradictions between goals and strategy, namely between the US troop surge and political reconciliation with the Taliban. ++ “Until coalition forces are able to bolster their position militarily and talk from a position of strength the Taliban will have no incentive to negotiate.”