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More Troops Won't Solve Afghanistan

Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek | October 13, 2009

Although the security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated considerably, largely due to Hamid Karzai's ineffective and corrupt government, injecting more troops could provoke an antigovernment or nationalist backlash. ++ Instead, "the US and Afghan government need to make much greater efforts to wean Pashtun tribes away from the most radical Taliban factions." ++ Considering the central objective of the US policy is "to deny Al Qaeda the means to reconstitute, train, and plan major attacks," the focus should now be on Pakistan.

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Thu, Nov 12th 2009, 03:24

Mohamed Telab, New York University: Center for Global Affairs, (7)

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Additional troops can most certainly help bring about stability in Afghanistan, but only if the Afghan people see the increased security gains as an opportunity to establish a stable and functioning government free of corruption. We must keep in mind that any strategy that does not include a loyal and committed Afghan partner will not provide for long-term security. In addition, we must evaluate the current Afghan conflict in its regional context and for once, operate outside the parameters of national borders. Doing so means addressing the enemy forces within FATA of Pakistan.

Thu, Nov 12th 2009, 15:34

Colette Grace Mazzucelli, Hofstra University / New York University, Platinum Contributor (333)

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This assessment by Fareed Zakaria, coupled with the recommendations by General Eikenberry as reported in the New York Times this morning, suggest a low-end option in Afghanistan.

The implications in terms of the focus on Pakistan are critical in the re-evaluation of regional strategy, particularly as Ambassador Holbrooke tours various capitals and President Obama plans his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Singh later this month.

Pakistan's stated concern about the role of India in Afghanistan, as reported last week on Fareed Zakaria GPS, is another significant factor to consider.

All the best and greetings from New York, Professor Colette Mazzucelli

From the article 'U.S. Envoy Urges Caution on Forces for Afghanistan'
By ELISABETH BUMILLER and MARK LANDLER at
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/us/politics/12policy.html?th=&emc...

"General Eikenberry has been an energetic envoy, traveling widely around Afghanistan to meet with tribal leaders and to inspect American development projects.

He has been pushing the State Department for additional civilian personnel in the country, including in areas like agriculture, where the United States wants to help wean farmers off cultivating poppies. The State Department has tried to accommodate his requests, according to a senior official, but has turned down some because of budget constraints and its desire to cap the overall number of civilians in Afghanistan at roughly 1,000.

He played a significant role, along with Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, in persuading Mr. Karzai last month to accept the results of an election commission, which called for a runoff presidential ballot."

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More Troops Won't Solve Afghanistan