What's the right thing for the Administration to do in Afghanistan and Pakistan?

[Aloha Spirit]

Poll question: What's the right thing for the Administration to do in Afghanistan and Pakistan?

What's the right thing for the Administration to do in Afghanistan and Pakistan?

Edit: if you don't vote, I will assume that you think Obama is from Krypton and will destroy American military supremacy within the week.

[GarbagemanLB]

1. Leaving Afghanistan, as some on the left want, is not an option. This is the real world, and

there is a real organization that is a threat to America and the world in the region.

I think the Afghanistan appointment is good, as he has signaled that he wants to focus on the corruption in the Afghani government and get that government to more severely crack down on the drug trade which is thriving there. The added troops will help (at least temporarily) secure the countryside that until now has belonged mostly to the Taliban.

The key is getting more countries involved in helping with security and in other areas. I think Obama is in an excellent position to start pushing for that as his election has caused other governments to be more open to the U.S.

As for Pakistan, all I know is that their intelligence service and military seem to be infested with people loyal to tribal leaders or Al Qaeda itself. The bombing doesn't help, but there really is no other option other than an invasion when the Pakistani military refuses to deal with the terrorists within their borders.


Of course, only time will tell what happens.

[Aloha Spirit]

3. Do you have a link on Holbrooke commenting on government corruption? Also, Medvyedyev

's comments on wanting to cooperate with the US... I don't know what to make of it.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/23/asia/23afghan-414761.php

[GarbagemanLB]

4. It was in the Sunday NY Times. I'll try to find an online link.

[Aloha Spirit]

7. Ah, okay, here it is

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/weekinreview/25cooper.html?scp=3&sq=holbrooke&st=cse
in Afghanistan, “massive, officially sanctioned corruption and the drug trade are the most serious problems the country faces, and they offer the Taliban its only exploitable opportunity to gain support.”

I am trying to find more specific things that these people may have said...
Would appreciate any thing you may have come across.

[endarkenment]

2. There is no military solution.

[Lost-in-FL]

5. Leave them alone.

If we protect our borders and our interests like we should we do not have to worry about the threat of terra. New sources of intelligence gathering and better diplomacy (now that there is intelligent people in charge) would be a good start.

[Aloha Spirit]

6. Do you think that approach fits within the framework of what he said in the Inaugural address?

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

[Lost-in-FL]

8. My approach is in relation to military operations in Afghanistan.

I do not agree with Obama doubling the amount of forces in Afghanistan. We need a fresh start in Afghanistan that does not involve military might. We blew it and now it is too late.

We should help ALL poor nations not only those which we have "interests".

[Aloha Spirit]

9. Help all poor nations--Definitely. I hope people realize that national security and int'l aid are

connected.
Remember the uproar from Conservatives about the Global Poverty Act last year?

I for one am very anxious to hear what Obama says about regional security in that part of the world.

[Lost-in-FL]

10. Me too.

Rebuilding our nation from this past failed administration will require lots of diplomacy that is for sure. :hi: