Karzai Requests A Timeline For Withdrawal

by: Chris LeJeune

Tue Nov 25, 2008 at 15:34:42 PM EST


President Karzai of Afghanistan, in a move that parallels the Iraqi government, is also requesting a timeline for the withdrawal of American troops.  While many have hailed the Iraqi government's request as a "sign of success", I cannot help but wonder how a withdrawal from Afghanistan would be viewed.


KABUL, Afghanistan - President Hamid Karzai told a visiting U.N. Security Council delegation Tuesday that the international community should set a timeline to end the war in Afghanistan.

It appeared to be the first time Karzai has called for a time limit on the international effort to defeat Taliban militants and raise a stable and competent Afghan security force and government.

"If there is no deadline, we have the right to find another solution for peace and security, which is negotiations," Karzai was quoted as saying in a statement from his office.

The Afghan president also told the U.N. team that airstrikes by international military forces and searches in Afghan homes must stop, the statement said. Karzai has made that demand repeatedly.

I agree with the need for a withdrawal from Iraq.  There is no threat to our security there, and never was.  However, those same terrorists who attacked the US on 9/11, who attacked the USS Cole, who claimed responsibilty for the 1998 embassy bombings, those same terrorists have a safe haven in Afghanistan.  I can certainly understand Karzai's impatience.  We have been there for 7 years now with little to show in the way of results.  It is my opinion though, that a full withdrawal would only make the Taliban and Al-Qaeda stronger.
Chris LeJeune :: Karzai Requests A Timeline For Withdrawal
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Karzai Requests A Timeline For Withdrawal | 13 comments
USS Cole 'mastermind' was in Jail in Yemen (0.00 / 0)
They're still arguing about what to do with 9-11 masterminds at Gitmo.

If there still is a 'central command of AQ' left it is in Pakistan and they don't want us either.

We have no plan, no troops and are loosing allies.

Karzai wants to stay in power. Besides if supply lines and shipping lanes are broken the 'suffering' of the Afghans continues to escalate.

Let's just declare the "Bush Doctrine" a total failure.

O/T but related...Gates a 'done deal' for SECDEF (0.00 / 0)
Well (0.00 / 0)
I wouldn't be surprised if the central command of AQ was actually in Saudi Arabia or Yemen. I actually think Karzai might be right here. Whether we agree with the idea to withdraw or not, which is certainly grounds for honset debate, we did call this Operation Enduring Freedom, and Karzai is a democratically elected leader.  
I (0.00 / 0)
guess we can try and make a case for him to allow us to stay. But, if he tells us to leave, then we pretty much have to leave. Man, our endorsed spread of democracy has had a way of biting us in the ass lately.  
Withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan in the absence of (0.00 / 0)
a sustainable political solution will, sooner or later, become a HUGE threat to the national security of the US.

I have a high degree of confidence - perhaps unrealistically high, but I don't think so - in the Obama/Biden administration and their ability to lead the effort toward some form of political reconciliation in both countries.

God help us all if they fail.

With Iraq... (4.00 / 1)
...it comes back to what I've said in comments to other posts here: We must, MUST, bring all regional governments into the fold...this includes Iran, esp. with respect to both Iraq and Afghanistan (nations that both border Iran).

 Yes, all govt's, incl. Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia. But not extra-governmental entities like Hezbollah, AQ, perhaps even Hamas (even tho they have Palestine right now).

 It's going to be a long hard slog, diplomatically-speaking, but a newfound dedication to such ventures, IMHO, will be well-received globally.

 IV

[ Parent ]
Absolutely! (0.00 / 0)
It's going to take the involvement of the regional and major powers and the UN and a comprehensive strategy put forward by the US to reverse policy in Iraq by promoting and facilitating a political soluiton.

The Iraqis will have to determine their own political future - that is a given. But, they are going to need a lot of help, as ANY country in similar circumstances would.

This is going to be a long hard slog, for sure - but, it is reassuring to know that we may have the political leadership in place in Washington that will be capable of pulling this off...at least, the Obama/Biden admin will be our last best hope.

I can hardly wait until Jan 20th!

[ Parent ]
Regional (0.00 / 0)
powers definitely a go. Albeit, keep the Saudis out of as much as possible. UN, I would say leave them out, for more reasons than one.  
[ Parent ]
Basically (0.00 / 0)
I think we need to get as many Arabs involved as possible and as few foreigners involved as possible at the moment. Well Iran needs to be involved too.  
[ Parent ]
You and I would agree that the UN has a lot of problems. (0.00 / 0)
But, for better or worse, that is where the best capability for nation-building resides and nation-building, for lack of a better word, remains a top priority.
[ Parent ]
If we (0.00 / 0)
were dealing with a region of the world with rational politics, then I might agree. Unfortunately, the Middle East's politics are reknown for their irrationality. I think we want the Arabs to do as much as possible here.  
[ Parent ]
I think you're right. (0.00 / 0)
And, when I say that the UN needs to be involved in solving this mess, I don't mean to say that Iraqis and their Arab neighbours shouldn't be at the center of this process.

Although, I have to hasten to add that the thought of Governor Richardson's idea, during the primary season (seems like eons ago!) that there should be a Muslim peacekeeping force in Iraq after US forces withdraw still makes my eyes roll.

[ Parent ]
IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME (0.00 / 0)
What the heck have they been waiting for?  Our occupation of Afghanistan is as disastrous as our occupation of Iraq.
Karzai Requests A Timeline For Withdrawal | 13 comments
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