Indecision taken to new levels

[Kidlicious]

Yeah, that's only a fiasco because of the scumbag Republicans spreading their atrocious lies...

Look, I couldn't give a **** about health in your country because I don't live there, but frankly the current attitude of your nation to the health of its citizens is, basically, Victorian...

The democrats seem to be lying more in this case, regarding health care. I rather keep things the same than have health care reform pass the way it looks to right now.

[Flubber]

Too little too late.

Quite frankly it appears Obama has adopted the Canadian policy going forward - out in 18 months.

Well it makes sense to

1. have some plan for an end time and
2. provide enough resources to realistically have a chance of achieving something


It appears if the foreign troops slowly decreased and then left, anarchy or worse would likely follow. A surge might have a chance. I am not overly optimistic and the best that might be achieved is a an effective partitition where a government sympathetic to the west might be able to hold on to enough of the Afghan territory that its just not a single lawless state.

[Wezil]

A partition may be the way to go although I have no idea if the Pashtun would agree to it.

The current problem is the side we have chosen in the civil war is unable to defeat the Pashtun with our support and unable to "govern" at all without it.

[Flubber]

I wasn't thinking so much a formal partition as one that might result if we can get the pro-Western side strong enough in some regions that they can hold their ground . It may resolve into a civil war type situation with each side holding fairly stable territories. With western support and arms perhaps we can keep the government ruling some portion of the country gor a few years

[Wezil]

That's essentially what we have now.

The current government of former Northern Alliance warlords controls "their" part of the country (with help from the non-fighting NATO members) while they try to constitute a "national" army with the many Afghan ethnic groups, minus of course, the Pashtuns.

Under the Obama plan this national army will eventually take over fighting in Pashtun areas from the fighting members of NATO.

[Flubber]

That's essentially what we have now.

The current government of former Northern Alliance warlords controls "their" part of the country (with help from the non-fighting NATO members) while they try to constitute a "national" army with the many Afghan ethnic groups, minus of course, the Pashtuns.

Under the Obama plan this national army will eventually take over fighting in Pashtun areas from the fighting members of NATO.

But right now there are substantial western troops everywhere. I am just thinking whether this can be maintained after the west no longer has thousands of boots on the ground

[Wezil]

It didn't work out so well the last time for the Northern Alliance. Could our logistical support make a difference this time?

That's why I mentioned a formal petition earlier. The more I think on it however the less likely I think it is the Pashtun would agree. They don't seem the type to accept half a loaf if they can go ahead and take the whole thing anyway.