The situation in Afghanistan is more favorable. If we can make a deal with the Taliban, they can enforce it throughout most of the country. They can speak for the Pashtun, the people with whom we are at war. We can get out without Afghanistan falling back into chaos. The Taliban have shown they can govern, even to the point of shutting down the opium trade.
Mr. Lind's comments are sensible. But there is somethings between the ears of both candidates that prevent them from recognizing the opportunity that these Saudi-sponsored talks are giving them.
I don't see how the presumptive favorite Obama would be able to capitalize on this opportunity after he has called for even more aggressive actions with even more military force. Longshot McCain won't stop fighting them 'over there' either.
Perhaps Powell+Brezinski can persuade Obama to regard an government including the Taleban as a way out. I hope that we don't insist that they "surrender" or "lay down their arms" as part of the deal.
From my armchair ambassador post , I suspect this might be a situation where undue attention brought on by either candidate might accidently (or intentionally) sabotage any "behind-the-scenes" diplomatic initiatives.
Originally posted by AGBrina: Mr. Lind's comments are sensible. But there is somethings between the ears of both candidates that prevent them from recognizing the opportunity that these Saudi-sponsored talks are giving them.
I don't see how the presumptive favorite Obama would be able to capitalize on this opportunity after he has called for even more aggressive actions with even more military force. Longshot McCain won't stop fighting them 'over there' either.
Perhaps Powell+Brezinski can persuade Obama to regard an government including the Taleban as a way out. I hope that we don't insist that they "surrender" or "lay down their arms" as part of the deal.
I am in favor of No Deals with the Taliban, other than them "dispersing" and giving up their war.
We would not be in this position except for the tactics of this administration. Any reasonable person would have done things dramtically differently. First, we would have set up a secualr government in Afghanistan, instead of this combination of tame Fundamentalists and dope dealer warlords. And of course, we should have poured enourmous financial resources into the place - We did neither.
Well, it's not to late to reverse course. Afghanistan is not Iraq.
, I suspect this might be a situation where undue attention brought on by either candidate might accidently (or intentionally) sabotage any "behind-the-scenes" diplomatic initiatives.
