For Afghan war watchers, the New York Times reports the U.S. is having more success in its counterterrorism strategy than nation building. By killing more Taliban insurgent leaders, the success may signal a quicker peace allowing the Taliban to take part in the Afghan government.
For U.S. interests, this does not mean an Afghan government patterned after Jeffersonian democracy. The Karsai government already is based on Shi’a religious law. It means a temporary truce in the civil war and makes Pakistan happy.
Put another way, the counterterrorism strategy by the Obama administration is leading to an Afghan government being the puppet of Pakistan and opening the door for a training base for al-Qaeda. The result is Afghanistan will be in the same subservient boat as it was before the U.S. invaded after Sept. 11, 2001.
I could be wrong.
Cross posted on The Remmers Report
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Jerry Remmers worked 26 years in the newspaper business. His last 23 years was with the Evening Tribune in San Diego where assignments included reporter, assistant city editor, county and politics editor.