Now that Obama has has escalated the war in Afghanistan, what lies ahead politically may be foreshadowed by a bombing in early November ordered by a German colonel. This bombing received little attention in US media, but it created a political firestorm in Germany, and the repercussions are still reverberating.
Der Spiegel published a fascinating, in-depth [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Afghanistan'
The End of German Innocence in Afghanistan
December 4th, 2009 · No Comments · Afghanistan, Military, Obama, Politics
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Obama and Afghanistan
December 2nd, 2009 · No Comments · Afghanistan, Military, Obama, Policy
I watched Obama live yesterday. What a tragic disappointment. I kept feeling like I was watching Bush — or Clinton, or Reagan, or Lyndon Johnson justifying military action and demonizing those they plan to kill. I soon found myself incredibly bored. I just kept yawning. It was all so predictable and and disgusting.
I find in [...]
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The Difficulties of Afghanistan
May 18th, 2009 · No Comments · Afghanistan, Policy
The following article from Der Spiegel highlights the difficulties and the moral dilemmas of Afghanistan.
Should Western countries be trying to dictate moral and spiritual values in other countries?
This not a question I can easily answer.
German Army Can’t Protect Afghan Girls’ Schools
Resuming the schooling of Afghanistan’s girls became a much-celebrated post-Taliban achievement for the international [...]
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Insight into Obama’s Afghan Policy
May 12th, 2009 · No Comments · Afghanistan, Policy
The following article (thanks to Rita Crane) by George Friedman provides a deeper insight into Obama’s policies in Afghanistan than any that I’ve seen. I was encouraged that President Obama seems to be viewing the constraints and possibilities seriously and aiming for a limited and possibly achievable goal. If accurate, this is a heartening change [...]
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Obama’s Choice for Nato Commander a Surprise
March 22nd, 2009 · No Comments · Afghanistan, NATO, Obama
In a hopeful sign, Obama replaced Bush’s appointee to Supreme Nato Commander, General Craddock (see, "US General Loses Battle…") with an Admiral who is noted for encouraging cooperation among military and civilian agencies — to the surprise of many in Europe.
Der Spiegel reported on the appointment, which has received little notice in the US:
Der Spiegel
03/19/2009
NEW [...]
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US General Loses Battle to Order Killing of Opium Workers
February 5th, 2009 · 1 Comment · Afghanistan, Pakistan, Policy
On January 29, 2009, I reprinted an article from Der Spiegel reporting that a Nato Commander, US General Craddock, had ordered Nato troops to attack opium workers in Afghanistan even when there was no evidence they were connected to the Taliban. This action was opposed by the German Nato commander and created an uproar in [...]
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US General Orders Killing of Opium Workers in Afghanistan
January 29th, 2009 · 2 Comments · Afghanistan, Pakistan, Policy
Those who are concerned about Obama’s escalation of warfare in Afghanistan will find support for their concern in the following article from the German newspaper, Der Spiegel. It reports that the Nato Commander in Afghanistan, US General Craddock, has ordered killing opium dealers, without proof of connection to the insurgency. NATO commanders from other countries, [...]
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The Political Quagmire of Pakistan — Our Key Ally
December 17th, 2008 · No Comments · Afghanistan, Pakistan, Terrorism
This article for Der Spiegel provides an in-depth look at the huge problems of effective U.S. cooperation with Pakistan against Al Qaeda and other revolutionary groups.
WALKING THE TERRORIST TIGHTROPE
Pakistan’s President Zardari Attempts the Impossible
By Susanne Koelbl in Muridke, Pakistan
Pakistan’s President Zardari is trying to avoid a conflict with India without completely alienating his own powerful [...]
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