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The Continuing Crisis
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With friends like this, why not just install Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) as president of Afghanistan?
WASHINGTON — I am beginning to think of President Hamid Karzai as Hamid Karzai (D-Afghanistan). The way he inveighs against troops who are fighting to secure his government in that inhospitable realm sounds very much like Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) inveighing against our troops during the Bush administration. Not only that, but now Mr. Karzai has arrogated for himself a formerly independent Afghan commission whose duty it was to monitor elections for fraud and other irregularities. Last week he signed a decree that will henceforth allow him rather than the United Nations to appoint officials to the Electoral Complaints Commission, which the United Nations had set up in the aftermath of Karzai’s rigged reelection. So maybe it would be more appropriate for me to think of him as Hamid Karzai (D-Chicago).
We now have underway in Afghanistan the most massive military operation since autumn 2001, when our forces sent the Taliban fleeing to their caves and mountain refuges. Thousands of American, British, and Afghan troops have overrun the former Taliban stronghold of Marjah. There they are trying to establish a proper civilian government while capturing or killing a sufficient number of Taliban to persuade the rest to lay down their arms. Yet on at least two occasions civilians have been killed. This was not because our troops were reckless or insensitive to the plight of civilians. A major goal of our forces is to minimize civilian casualties so as to win, as they say, the hearts and minds of the Afghans. So strict are the rules of engagement that they have increased the risk of injuries and fatalities to our forces.
Yet still civilians have been wounded and killed — not exactly by accident. A little-remarked fact of war against Islamic fundamentalists is that they use civilians (Muslims!) as shields. They even use holy places such as mosques as shields for stationing their troops and storing their weapons. This use of civilians as shields takes place in the Palestinian territories, where the death of civilians is used as propaganda against the Israel Defense Forces, and of course in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the death of innocents is seen as a propaganda triumph against us.
Islamic fundamentalists not only use civilians as shields, they target them with roadside bombs and — even grislier — with suicide bombers attacking bazaars and cafes. The strategic purpose is to create dissension and demoralization among the citizenry. People familiar with warfare against Islamic fundamentalists know this. Surely Mr. Karzai (D-Chicago) knows this. He also knows that our air strikes are nixed if our monitors perceive civilians in a targeted area. Likewise our soldiers hold their fire, when the enemy is using civilians — often women and children — as shields while they travel through the country, planting bombs and planning ambushes. Nonetheless he assists them in spreading the propaganda that we are responsible for civilian deaths.
Over the weekend he opened the Afghan parliament with a diatribe. It was not against the Taliban who are in insurrection against his government but against our troops who are training his army, pursuing the Taliban, and trying to hand over a secure Afghanistan to him. He brought along a picture of a young Afghan girl who lost her family during a mid-February strike by our forces against suspected Taliban. Now that is a bit of public relations wizardry, but it is at the expense of his protectors and on behalf of his enemies. His protectors led by General Stanley McChrystal have apologized for their involvement in civilian deaths. His enemies who have put the civilians in harm’s way apologize for nothing.
Reviewing his presidency, its corruption, ineptitude, and arrant stupidity, I am convinced of the aptness of thinking of President Hamid Karzai as Hamid Karzai (D-Chicago.) Perhaps this year the Democrats will ask him to speak at one of their Jackson Day Dinners.
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Chief Dawud| 2.25.10 @ 6:35AM
As a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, my opinion is that I could see success in Iraq and that I am less optimistic about Afghanistan. I do not see the same strong sense of purpose here and now on the part of all parties in Afghanistan that I saw in Iraq four years ago.
Alan Brooks| 2.25.10 @ 5:28PM
Durban? could only be an improvement.
Only hope if there is real hope in the region is-- since Iran has its long arm in Afghanistan, too-- to take out Ahmaweeniejohn's regime; sooner rather than later, as the fallout (no jokes please) later will be worse.
Alan Brooks| 2.25.10 @ 5:36PM
... "Al Sobiades always went for the jugular"--Patton
wudter| 2.26.10 @ 4:24AM
Hamid Karzai (D-Chicago) ,`er~
I just wanna how the Iraqi people to live like
http://www.udtek.com/laptop-keyboard-c-3.html
tinnitus miracle | 11.11.10 @ 10:52PM
The whole war in Afghanistan is still a mess. Hamid Karzai clearly needs to go!
Inge| 2.25.10 @ 7:10AM
It angers me that our troops life is never mentioned by this moron, dying for this idiot, so he can sit safely in his throne.
Together with the Obama crop in DC, what are our troops still doing there, when it looks asthough they are being hamstrung not to offend anyone, or kill anyone? This is not our troops mission; it should be none other to kill the enemy wherever found, using shields or not. Is our soldiers life worth nothing anymore???
How convuluded have we become to go along with such a sharade?
Copyleft| 2.25.10 @ 9:17AM
If they have no legitimate mission and no goal, why are they there--just to get shot at and blown up?
Bring them home.
loulou| 2.25.10 @ 10:08AM
I agree.
Why are we losing our men for a country of ingrates who prefer the Taliban? Where are the lefties on this outrage? Why aren't they marching?
Bring them home.
cl| 2.25.10 @ 12:02PM
this is the "lefties'" war that obama and the lefties approved. of course they approved only as a method to criticize Bush for concentrating on the Iraq war. now they are stuck with this war. if Bush had concentrated on Afghanistan the lefties and obama would have said we should be fighting in Iraq.
Alan Brooks| 2.25.10 @ 5:33PM
"If they have no legitimate mission and no goal, why are they there--just to get shot at and blown up?
Bring them home."
Alrighty, but take out Ahmadingbat's people first-- then leave the region.
First Things, chump.
Pingback| 2.25.10 @ 7:37AM
Hamid Karzai (D-Chicago) – Spectator.org links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
bluecollarbytes| 2.25.10 @ 9:30AM
I always assumed that Karzai (D-Chicago) was playing us a bit from the start. If Afghanistan really had its statesmen, there would be a statesmen-like effort emanating from Afghanistan itself sufficient to defeat what are essentially bands of fighting barbarians.
loulou| 2.25.10 @ 10:11AM
The Afghanis actually prefer the Taliban. The women WANT to go around wrapped in a blue tablecloth.
There are no statesmen in Afghanistan. It's not that kind of country. It's a collection of thuggish tribes.
Hearts and Minds?? What idiocy. Takes me back to Vietnam.
Tony in Central PA| 2.25.10 @ 11:04AM
The difference between Afghanistan and Viet Nam is that Viet Nam never massacred 3,000 American civilians. We can leave the place, we may have to at some point, but let's not kid ourselves that the Taliban and Al Quaida are going to go back to their flower gardens and bowling leagues and leave us alone. A.Q. pledged to kill four million Americans in order to achieve their goals and I, for one, believe they will continue to try to do just that as long as they exist.
loulou| 2.25.10 @ 11:58AM
Then liquidate the Taliban and Al Qaida. Stop the fantasy that they can be cajoled into being civilized.
Unless we are willing to fight a real war we need to get out. Our men are sitting ducks with the idiotic rules of engagement. Our weakness and supplication emboldens them.
MAJ Mike| 2.25.10 @ 12:01PM
While it is fair to say that Karzai is corrupt, it is unfair to compair him to Dick Durbin. Karzai has some semblance of an honor code, even if only by Afghan tribal standards. I have as yet to see anything that suggests the same of Durbin.
The problem in Afghanistan is that every enter of power in the country that isn't part of the government is labeled "Taliban," regardless of who or what they actually are. When poppy growers attack government troops who are destroying their crops, we are told that they are Taliban. When criminals skim or steal from the locals, we are told the same thing. Afghanistan is a lawless place, but unfortunately, it is the lawless places that attract terrorists, who can act there with impunity. If we fail to engage them on the ground there, and build up forces which can continue to do the job after we leave, then we are only setting the stage for future repetitions of 9/11.
NavyBrat | 2.25.10 @ 12:21PM
This is indeed a problem. Mr. Karzai seems to have forgotten the Special Forces a-team that protected him & allowed him to become the ruler he is now. He seems to have forgotten all of the blood & treasure we have expended to make his country "free," & to ensure that it doesn't become a failed state like it was before we got there. There have been no true Afghan leaders since Ahmed Shah Massoud was assassinated by al Qaeda.
The question now becomes a multi-pronged one. First, do we pack it in & leave these people to their own devices, since it is apparent that they don't trust us & don't want us there anymore? Second: Do we dare do this & leave the country open to re-occupation by the Taliban/al Qaeda, who are straining at the border to do just this? Third: If we DO bail, what then happens to Pakistan if BOTH countries fail, as they surely will?
None of these questions have an easy answer. The BEST answer that I can think of is to loosen the idiotic ROE that hamstring our forces from doing their mission, which is to close with, engage, & destroy the enemy. Unless we're willing to take the gloves off, this conflict will continue to be a debacle.
S.L. Toddard| 2.25.10 @ 12:58PM
"Mr. Karzai seems to have forgotten the Special Forces a-team that protected him & allowed him to become the ruler he is now"
i.e. a corrupt tyrant. So much for "spreading democracy."
NavyBrat | 2.25.10 @ 1:10PM
S.L. Toddard. We weren't "spreading democracy" when we sent that a-team into Afghanistan. They were one of many that we sent in RIGHT AFTER 9-11. Harldy a mission to "build democracy." At that time, it was a mission to kick ass. Try again, misguided child.
S.L. Toddard| 2.25.10 @ 12:56PM
Hm. The Frankenstein monster created by Tyrell's ideological brethren has a life of its own. Who'd a thunk it?
Northern Rebel| 2.25.10 @ 2:15PM
If this was a discussion about liquidating Jews in Israel, Toddard would be frothing at the mouth, holding his groin.
Dufus| 2.25.10 @ 7:58PM
You actually believe seeking out murderous sects of killers hell bent on destroying everything not willing to bow down and face East is the same as killing all the people of a Religion, race, creed - maybe even gender.
Even this Dufus noticed how off base you are; damn mouth breathers.
Word of the Day | 2.25.10 @ 2:24PM
in·veigh (n-v)
intr.v. in·veighed, in·veigh·ing, in·veighs
To give vent to angry disapproval; protest vehemently.
Jim O'Brien| 2.25.10 @ 3:00PM
Did anyone here think a boy scout could rise to power in a place like Afghanistan? Get real.
Ned| 2.25.10 @ 3:06PM
Remember the movie, "The Man Who Would Be King." The two characters Daniel and Peachy decide to hunt for riches in an Afghanistan like country, but in the end their quest goes awry because of lust for power and a woman on the part of Daniel.
Remember when they first started winning victories by aiding one tribe to defeat another long time enemy tribe. The first one they helped had a ruler that I have always thought looked just like Hamid Karzai. Anyway as soon as Daniel and Peachy defeated the enemy in battle using their courage and the Karzai look a like’s men, men they had trained, Karzai found his courage and decided it was time to cut off the heads of the captured and now defenseless enemy. I think it was Daniel (Sean Connery) put a stop to his executions and for good measure booted him in the ass.
Earlier in the movie the locals had been shown playing a polo like game using a man's head in an animal skin bag as the ball. After Chief Karzai’s butt kicking, to everyone's amusement, the game was being played again, only with the head of the Karzai like fellow being used for the ball.
Perhaps we can arrange for the modern Karzai to suffer the same fate.
I have not seen the movie in awhile, but that coward tribal ruler really did look like Karzai's twin, maybe it was his Grandpa or something.
the permanent newbie| 2.25.10 @ 7:48PM
My gosh, you are dead-on! Ootah the Great - 'scuse me, Ootah the Terrible - was indeed a dead ringer for Karzai, wasn't he?
Marc Jeric| 2.25.10 @ 3:07PM
WW2 had different rules of engagement. Ror example take the perfectly preserved medieval city of Ammerschwier in Alsace. In 1945 their mayor met the American patrol at the entrance to the city bearing a white flag, saying there was no resistance there and "Please save this city!" And so the American lieutenant led his tank and 20 soldiers into the town, when a hidden sniper killed him. The troup retreated and called the bombers; the city was essentially reduced to rubble - no more phony surrenders and hidden snipers. After the war Americans financed the town reconstruction - all with original construction materials - bricks, slate roofs, stone facades, macadam streets. There were no more false surrenders!
WAKE UP| 2.25.10 @ 3:34PM
There is no "solution" in these places, because of the indigenous, endemic culture/s. All there is, is a holding operation and the illusion of success until the next problem surfaces. Ringfencing, attrition and arms-length preparedness (plus deportation and repatriation of fifth-columnists, masquerading as immigrants, from the West) are the only solutions. Let them sort themselves out inside their own boundaries, however long it takes.
KEYBOARD555| 2.25.10 @ 10:05PM
Maybe the headline should have been, DURBIN (D. AFGHANISTAN), then he could cut our troops and the OBAMA adm. to pieces.
Pingback| 2.26.10 @ 2:32AM
The American Spectator : Hamid Karzai (D-Chicago) | Afghanistan Today links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.26.10 @ 6:31AM
The American Spectator : Hamid Karzai (D-Chicago) | Drakz Free Online Service links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.26.10 @ 6:31AM
The American Spectator : Hamid Karzai (D-Chicago) | Drakz Free Online Service links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.26.10 @ 6:31AM
The American Spectator : Hamid Karzai (D-Chicago) | Drakz Free Online Service links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
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Sebestian| 2.27.10 @ 3:36AM
Any Goverment in Afghanistan will do.....good or bad. As long as the west can control it...... they care not who runs it as long as he goes along with the wests plans. If not he will disappear.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Viri.....id=3476515
Pingback| 2.28.10 @ 2:32AM
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Fist of the Fleet| 2.28.10 @ 1:21PM
If I hear the call for "restraint" one more time from this goat herder I think I will puke. Of course he is calling for restraint because it is his tribal area. You can bet some of the terror...oops, insurgents are his relatives, probably on the payroll too.
Pingback| 3.14.10 @ 9:09AM
NBA Betting roundup: Friday’s action on the boards | World Top News | Google Hot Tren links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
bark off reviews | 5.11.10 @ 12:36PM
This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article!
barkoff
Bark Off | 7.16.10 @ 1:52AM
I find this unreal...If its true I dont know what to think.
Tinnitus Miracle | 8.18.10 @ 5:00PM
right to the point and explained well, great!
Banish Rosacea | 10.22.10 @ 3:40PM
Remember when they first started winning victories by aiding one tribe to defeat another long time enemy tribe. The first one they helped had a ruler that I have always thought looked just like Hamid Karzai. is this the banish rosacea theme?
Tinnitus Miracle | 1.13.11 @ 9:00AM
I don' t think he is only one to elected for each and every time for the president of Afghanistan.....But is he really deserves it....?
Filhotes a Venda | 2.11.11 @ 8:26AM
and third war might comes...
Renan Filhotes a Venda
Durometro Shore A | 2.11.11 @ 8:29AM
Oh my GOSH, isn`t real
Työnohjaus | 2.12.11 @ 11:57PM
One has to ask is it not the time to change the vital leadership positions in Kabul soon?
how to mod a wii | 2.26.11 @ 6:37AM
Whne civilians have been wounded and killed, it`s always a sign of things going totally wrong...
Wireless Surround Speakers | 3.3.11 @ 6:56AM
a tough job in the peace process as everyone is looking for a "piece" of their own...
natalie st | 3.11.11 @ 8:21AM
Islamic fundamentalists love using bombs, but I'm sure one day they will just stop.
Watch Films Links | 3.17.11 @ 10:06AM
his is really awsome!! Thanks!!
What Is Eczema | 3.23.11 @ 12:44AM
Stop this war , please.
Regards,
Business Computer
hemorrhoids treament | 3.28.11 @ 8:26PM
"They even use holy places such as mosques as shields for stationing their troops and storing their weapons." In my opinion we should not be fighting this war. It is way too much at stake!
weight loss | 3.28.11 @ 8:29PM
Good post. I just hope we, one day could live in peace.
3 wheel scooter | 4.16.11 @ 10:22PM
I think we should stop afghanistan war and all wars around the world. We have to live in peace and love. Please stop it.
Regards,
Nina Perez
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ipad bookstore | 4.17.11 @ 2:37PM
The way that western world deals with Afganistan is not working. It was not working in the 19th century with England, it was not working in the 20th centuty with Soviets. We suppose to deal with them differently, but I do not know how...
PLR PRODUCTS | 4.20.11 @ 4:51PM
Wars are rubbish, why can people just not get on its terrible.
Physical Therapy Schools | 4.26.11 @ 5:58AM
I don;t care again about this.
Detox | 5.11.11 @ 6:41AM
Hope Karzai know what he's doing. Another war will not help the situation there.
Libby Jackson | 5.14.11 @ 6:30AM
Afghanistan has and always will have problems. This was engineered by the West and now everyone wants peace, it goes against decades of despotic leadership- it is no different now.Karzai is ineffectual.
Theatre breaks in London | 5.14.11 @ 6:34AM
Seriously, has life really changed for the poor people in Afghanistan after Saddam ? Karzai has no control and abuse is still perpetuating itself- a no win situation I feel- interesting article.
Angry Bird | 5.14.11 @ 7:28AM
It all comes down to the biggest war beneficiery- the supplier of most arms which is usually the US- wants peace but more money is to be made in war.
UTI Treatment | 5.14.11 @ 10:21AM
Karzai will stay in power just long enough to ensure enough corruption fills the coffers in offshore bank accounts.
3ds Blog | 5.14.11 @ 10:26AM
I agree with UTI treatment- its all about money, always has been, always will be in these countries where no one has ever had anything .They are sucked dry by whoever is in charge.
panerai312 | 5.15.11 @ 11:26AM
This blog is perfect for me. This is such a wonderful useful resource that you'll be providing. You got so many points here, that's why i love reading your post. Thank you so much.
soulmates site | 5.20.11 @ 4:10AM
No brains the lot of them- nuke the place for all the good it does their fellow men!
Nursing Schools in Virginia | 5.20.11 @ 4:13AM
Hmm ask any 'moderate' muslim and they will tell you that nowhere in the Koran is it written that women are to be subjugated. Just a ploy by the taleban to have supreme control over women.
Universities in Virginia | 5.20.11 @ 4:19AM
how is it that the taleban are rapidly rising up again in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That regime appeals to weak men who want total domination over women.
Internet Dating Partners | 5.20.11 @ 4:24AM
Why do the US military always get blamed?Of course there will always be civilian casualties- that is the nature of these weaklings- using defenseless civilians as human shields. Look at bin Laden in his final moments.He used his wife as a shield.
Tinnitus Miracle | 5.22.11 @ 10:51AM
To be honest. This is really quite conversial what you are saying here but OK...
Kissimmee Vacation Rentals | 5.22.11 @ 6:55PM
It is about time that an Afghan army is trained and our troops are brought back home.
lenka12 | 6.4.11 @ 11:33AM
WoW!!….I love it!…..so natural….great work
Tinnitus Miracle | 6.15.11 @ 6:19AM
I agree KISSIMMEE. They should be bought back! Hope happens sooner than later!
PLR Products | 7.4.11 @ 6:47AM
The situation inside Afghanistan is always that every get into regarding power in the country that isn't the main authorities will be tagged "Taliban,Inches no matter who or even whatever they are actually. When poppy stating strike authorities troopers who're doing damage to their own crops, we have been told that they are Taliban. Whenever crooks read or steal in the local people, we have been advised the same. Afghanistan is really a lawless spot, however, it's the lawless places that entice terrorists, who is able to work presently there with impunity. When we don't engage these on a lawn right now there, and make upward forces which can keep doing the job after we abandon, only then do we are only setting the stage regarding long term practice regarding 9/11.
Beat Eczema | 7.26.11 @ 6:55AM
Superb blog post. I felt your post was extremely intriguing. Thanks!
100 Day Loans | 8.8.11 @ 1:18PM
Why all this happening?
Craft Beads | 8.28.11 @ 12:42PM
Civilian casualties are inevitable in war, as they have been in every war ever fought. Stop war, stop casualties!
Vases Whoelsale | 8.28.11 @ 1:02PM
Great read, thanks for sharing.
Parkour Shoes | 8.30.11 @ 6:25AM
Great article, I enjoyed reading this. However much has changed in the war in Afghanistan and more and more people are becoming aware of the effect of War.
Civilian casulties and injured soldiers are 2 of the big hitting elements that really make you think...is it all worth it?
Tinnitus Tratamiento | 9.2.11 @ 4:06PM
wow, thanks a lot for sharing! I really aprecciate this kind of informative post! Take care
Eliminar las estrias | 9.11.11 @ 1:21PM
wow, this information is awesome,thanks a lot for sharing
Tinnitus Miracle | 10.12.11 @ 2:03AM
I couldn't agree more with those statements, hamid really knows his stuff. I still think their is some need for reform though
Winter Gloves | 10.27.11 @ 9:45AM
I think the governments should take a strong stance here a look at pulling the troops out in a phased approach.
Too many deaths this year already and we are still on in Q3 of the year.
Let them be and manage their own troubles, god knows we have our own problems back home to deal with!
burnham boilers | 12.14.11 @ 3:58AM
Great insight! Hope our world will be peaceful in the future!
Rudy | 9.2.12 @ 7:57PM
Good or bad rezim?
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