"Don't Escalate" from: The Nation:

[amborin]

"President Barack Obama has wisely ordered an internal review of the administration's options in Afghanistan before proceeding with the current plan to send 30,000 more troops, which would nearly double the 32,000 fighting there.

For the sake of the country, his presidency and the peace and stability of South Asia, Obama should take US-led military escalation off the table. Instead he should focus on devising a regional strategy to stabilize Afghanistan and strengthen Pakistan.

Escalating the occupation of Afghanistan would bleed us of the resources we need for economic recovery, further destabilize Pakistan, open a rift with our European allies and negate the positive effects of withdrawing from Iraq on our image in the Muslim world. Escalation would have all these negative consequences without securing a better future for the Afghan people or increasing US security. ..."

<snip>

<http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090223/editors?rel=hp_picks>

[azul]

1. Why send in offensive warriors when we could be sending in the Peace Corp?

At a fraction of the cost to straighten things out that are haywire. Because it is the responsible thing to do now for the USA.

Peaceful surge

[amborin]

2. yes, along the lines of "Three Cups of Tea"...how to reclaim the country

peacefully