World News Insights
1-3 Minute Gist
Search, personalize, or simply browse. Follow the world around you from gist and context to insights.
Who we are | Our Credo | Ways of using Lyrarc | FAQ | Send Feedback | First Letter From the Editor
Sign up. It's free and easy to use
Create an account
to personalize your feed of articles and topics.
All Topics Article
Kerry Calls for Patient Strategy in Afghanistan
Keywords:
Tags:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman's view of Afghnistan differs significantly from New York Times correspondent Filkins understanding from years of reporting going back about a decade. Filkins sees the complexities of Pastun country inside Afghnistan and Pakistan and the military and ISI's involvement, and other correspondents have pointed to the narcotics trade and corruption. Kerry's simplistic view is that the Taliban do not enjoy much support, when actually Americans are seen on the ground as foreign occupiers. These correspondents in the field point to this as an everpresent danger, which would tilt support to those fighting foreigners, with nationalist and Muslim sentiment prevailing over everything else. And Kerry appears to be too willing to dismiss allegations of narcotics involvement of the Karzai administration with the "show me" comment. For critics of the Bush administration this is simply astounding, when so much is at stake. Does patient mean digging in one's heels slowly? But that is how the Vietnam intervention ran into trouble, without public sentiment in support of the plans.
The Afghan war's and the stories of Schweich and Rory on the complication added by opium farming and general antiforeign sentiment.
07/27/2008
Opium farming in the south is supported by the politicians including Karzai and Afghan sentiment generally is against foreigners just as more troops are sought on the ground and in the USA the war is getting politicized for personal advantage by Presidential candidates who do not understand fully what is going on .
Grouped Articles
Afghanistan’s Unending Addiction
New York Times 10/26/2014
Tasked With Combating Opium, Afghan Officials Profit From It
New York Times 02/15/2016
New York Times 07/27/2008
New York Times 07/30/2008
Reports Link Karzai’s Brother to Heroin Trade
New York Times 10/05/2008
Insurgents in Afghanistan Are Gaining, Petraeus Says
New York Times 10/01/2008
The drug aspects of the Afghanistan war raising corruption and insurgent financing issues create an intractable situation.
07/27/2008
Aspects of war, government, foreign involvement, that complicate the situation with opium farming and drugs injected into the picture.
Grouped Articles
Washington Post 01/16/2014
Afghanistan’s Unending Addiction
New York Times 10/26/2014
Tasked With Combating Opium, Afghan Officials Profit From It
New York Times 02/15/2016
Penetrating Every Stage of Afghan Opium Chain, Taliban Become a Cartel
New York Times 02/16/2016
New York Times 07/27/2008
U.N. Sees Afghan Drug Cartels Emerging
New York Times 09/02/2009
A crucial test of leadership of President Obama for the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan- 2009-2010
09/23/2009
Obama has to look at the unofficial reports on the ground to get the facts, and be willing to change completely with the facts, if he is to accept Vice President Biden's view and advisor Reidel's view that counterinsurgency fight is not possible without a credible and legitimate Afghan partner.
Grouped Articles
Pakistan Gives Sharif a Mandate
Wall Street Journal 05/12/2013
Pakistan's New Top Diplomat Heads to Kabul
Wall Street Journal 07/19/2013
Gates Faults Obama Over Afghanistan
Wall Street Journal 01/08/2014
Obama Is Considering Strategy Shift in Afghan War
New York Times 09/23/2009
In Poll, Public Wary of Obama on War and Health
New York Times 09/25/2009
New York Times 09/25/2009
Pakistan's view on the debate in Washington about sending more troops and expansion of war in Afghanistan.
10/01/2009
Foreign Minister Qureshi at the Journal's offices in New York says it would mean the Pakistani Taliban would threaten Islamabad, there would be more misery, suicide bombings, and hurt the economy badly. But Qureshi speaks for an increasingly unpopular Zardari administration. The army, opposition parties, and the Intelligence agencies, and increasingly the public sentiment is against an expanded American presence in Afghanistan, or a bigger American footprint in Afghinstan and Pakistan. See Rosenberg in WSJ.
Grouped Articles
How the Pakistani Taliban Became a Deadly Force
New York Times 12/16/2014
Wall Street Journal 10/01/2009
Several Afghan Strategies, None a Clear Choice
New York Times 10/01/2009
Reconciliation Efforts in Afghanistan Flounder
Washington Post 10/14/2009
Pakistan Attacks Show Tightening of Militant Links
New York Times 10/16/2009
U.S. deeply split on troop increase for Afghan war
Washington Post 10/21/2009
The Pakistan Taliban and the government, military and intelligence services of Pakistan.
01/05/2009
THe paradox is that the US is helping the Pakistan government fight the Taliban and Pakistan intelligence services openly or clandestinely are helping the Taliban. And Pakistan is hedgin its bets and does not want to see India increase its influence in Afghanistan. It may sound crazy but that is the motivation of Pakistan creating the Taliban as it were.
Grouped Articles
Pakistani Leader Pursues India Ties
Wall Street Journal 05/15/2013
Pakistan to Release Senior Taliban Leader
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2013
Leader of Pakistani Taliban Killed in Drone Strike
Wall Street Journal 11/02/2013
Official Admits Militancyâs Deep Roots in Pakistan
New York Times 06/02/2010
Taliban Take Toll on Pakistan's Biggest City
Wall Street Journal 02/14/2014
After Months of Infighting, a Major Faction Splits From the Pakistani Taliban
New York Times 05/28/2014
Veteran reporter Dexter Filkins of the NYT talks with McChrystal and looks at the war upfront.
09/07/2008
Dexter Wilkins author of "The Forever War," reports what he has found. One of the things he says is that McChrystal has not thought through the implications for his more boots on the ground policy, when the Karzai government is increasingly seen as an illegitimate and unpopular government. McChrystal's background as a Special Forces commander has not prepared him for grasping its implications. The other is the allergy of the Afghan people to foreign boots, and the vast mountainous terrain, total breakdown or lack of infrastructure, and a people tired of the war. The Pashtuns in Pakistan can be added to this picture. The economic development programs in rural areas are faltering. This may make the Iraqi solution of Petraeus unworkable in Afghanistan, something else may be needed.
Grouped Articles
Weakening, possible firing of McChrystal compounds sense of peril in Afghanistan
Washington Post 06/23/2010
Questions for General McChrystal
New York Times 06/01/2009
New York Times 10/18/2009
In Kabul, Little Hope That a Runoff Will Be Fair
New York Times 10/14/2009
Biden No Longer a Lone Voice on Afghanistan
New York Times 10/14/2009
New York Times 10/14/2009
The Afghan's allergy to foreign presence and the argument for more troops on the ground.
10/22/2009
Optimistic assessments about the results more American boots on the ground would bring leave gaps that are not addressed, about the Afghan government, the allergy to foreign occupiers, and the likely misassessment of the numbers needed. Here Boot says 174,000 American troops were needed in Iraq and he also says Afghanistan is amuch bigger country. Can American add troops to reach anumber closer to 174,000 in Afghanistan and what would the public response be? And there is no majority Shiite side in Afghanistan to stand behind the Americans as there was in Iraq, because democracy benefitted the Shiites under Ayatollah Sistani- what then would be the support for Americans among the 40 million Pashtuns ?
Grouped Articles
There’s No Substitute for Troops on the Ground
New York Times 10/22/2009
Kerry Calls for Patient Strategy in Afghanistan
New York Times 10/27/2009
Obama’s Afghanistan plan gets mixed reviews from grunts at Fort Campbell - The Washington Post
Washington Post 06/27/2011
The democracy project in Afghanistan misconceived and badly executed. But is it unmanageable to begin with?
10/25/2009
Grouped Articles
Afghanistan Presidential Rivals Sign Power-Sharing Deal
Wall Street Journal 09/21/2014
The Great American Arm-Twist in Afghanistan
New York Times 10/25/2009
Kerry Calls for Patient Strategy in Afghanistan
New York Times 10/27/2009
McChrystalâs Fate in Limbo as He Prepares to Meet Obama
New York Times 06/23/2010
Rethinking the Afghanistan Warâs What-Ifs
New York Times 07/31/2010
Wall Street Journal 08/11/2010
A new American effort in Afghanistan with Defense Secretary Gates' policy and General McChrystal in the field- 2009-2010
12/25/2008
The head of the Special Forces Operations Command for five years from 2003 to 2008 is now the new commander in Afghanistan. He is known for his hands on approach, intellect, relentless energy, and being always in the field, using networking and coordination to leverage his efforts. He comes from afamily of West Pointers, his father being a General in the second world war. Defense Secretary Gates who made the change putting General Petraeus in charge in Iraq to bring a younger officer with new ideas is now doing the same with replacing McKiernan and bringing in McChrystal. Gates is also bringing fresh thinking to the Defense Department and American defense policy.
Grouped Articles
Pentagon Toils to Build a Bomber on a Budget
Wall Street Journal 11/04/2013
McChrystal article renews attention to split with Biden over Afghanistan
Washington Post 06/23/2010
Weakening, possible firing of McChrystal compounds sense of peril in Afghanistan
Washington Post 06/23/2010
Gates Faults Obama Over Afghanistan
Wall Street Journal 01/08/2014
Former Defense Secretary Gates Is Elected President of the Boy Scouts
New York Times 05/22/2014
Questions for General McChrystal
New York Times 06/01/2009
Fresh thinking for U.S. involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries, and foreign policies to match the 21st century global architecture.
01/05/2009
The single issue engagement with global partners and rivals is from the 20th century. The USA has to work with other large economies who face the same problems we do, whose biggest challenges are similar to ours.
Grouped Articles
U.S. to Send Up to 300 Military Advisers to Iraq
New York Times 06/19/2014
Chuck Hagel - Why Going It Alone No Longer Works
Washington Post 09/03/2009
Setback in Afghanistan: The Right Response Is Not a Retreat.
Washington Post 09/03/2009
New York Times 09/16/2009
New York Times 09/25/2009
Economist 09/24/2009
The view of Colin Powell on the expansion of the war in Afghanistan.
09/27/2009
Will more troops make a difference is the crucial question asked.
Grouped Articles
New York Times 09/28/2009
Plan to Boost Afghan Forces Splits Obama Advisers
New York Times 09/27/2009
Gates Doubts U.S.'s Afghan Strategy
Wall Street Journal 10/01/2009
Several Afghan Strategies, None a Clear Choice
New York Times 10/01/2009
Report Cites Firefight as Lesson on Afghan War
New York Times 10/03/2009
Reconciliation Efforts in Afghanistan Flounder
Washington Post 10/14/2009
Peter Galbraith and the decision by Eide and the UN Secretary General that endangers UN credibility in Afghanistan.
10/04/2009
Peter Galbraith, deputy UN Representative in Afghanistan, decided that it was more important for the UN to call the election fraud of the Karzai government and not risk losing credibility, than to keep it quiet. He was dismissed.
Grouped Articles
Afghan Crisis Risks Splitting Country
Wall Street Journal 07/09/2014
Wall Street Journal 07/19/2014
In Afghan Election, Signs of Systemic Fraud Cast Doubt on Many Votes
New York Times 08/23/2014
E.U. Confirms Wide Fraud in Afghan Presidential Runoff Election
New York Times 12/16/2014
Peter W. Galbraith -- U.N. Isn't Addressing Fraud in Afghan Election
Washington Post 10/04/2009
Kerry Calls for Patient Strategy in Afghanistan
New York Times 10/27/2009
The view form Pakistan which discourages a large American footprint there and in Afghanistan.
01/04/2008
The head of the ISI, Pakistan's intelligence agency, met with CIA officials and argued against America sending more troops to Afghanistan. Some opposition parties oppose the large American embassy construction in Islamabad and consulate in Peshawar as signs America is increasing its presence. And Army chief Kalyani who sees Taliban moving into Baluchistan opposes drone attacks on Mullah Omar residing there.
Grouped Articles
Pakistan Gives Sharif a Mandate
Wall Street Journal 05/12/2013
Pakistan to Release Senior Taliban Leader
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2013
Leader of Pakistani Taliban Killed in Drone Strike
Wall Street Journal 11/02/2013
Taliban Making Military Gains in Afghanistan
New York Times 07/26/2014
Around an Invisible Leader, Taliban Power Shifts
New York Times 12/28/2014
Taliban Leader Mullah Omar Is Dead, Afghan Spy Agency Says
Wall Street Journal 07/30/2015
Prof. Pape shows the escalation of bombings targeting western troops after Afghanistan troop level escalation in years since 2005.
10/15/2009
Prof. Pape of the University of Chicago points to the link between the escalation of bombings targeted at western forces as foreign occupiers and the increase in troops after 2005. About 100,000 foreign troops are on Afghan soil. A military presence without boots on the ground of this magnitude to be seen as foreign occupiers is needed as that will fail in Afghnistan, Pape says.
Grouped Articles
To Beat the Taliban, Fight From Afar
New York Times 10/15/2009
‘You Have Atomic Bombs, but We Have Suicide Bombers.’
New York Times 10/20/2009
New York Times 10/22/2009
Kerry Calls for Patient Strategy in Afghanistan
New York Times 10/27/2009
Rethinking the Afghanistan Warâs What-Ifs
New York Times 07/31/2010
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
Letters to the Editors of the New York Times on the Vietnam experience and Afghanistan.
10/22/2009
An infantry soldier describes his experience in the fighting, and the attitudes of the Vietnamese people he saw, who were indifferent at best. A former deputy national securtiy advisor to President Johnson points to the contradiction handed down by the Kennedys- dont lose and just use a small number of advisors. An AID adviser to the police describes his experience. Most of the letters see huge risks and losses in Afghanistan. The subject prompting these letters is Lt. Col. Sorley's account of the war in his book "The Better War." In aquestion and answer session on C-SPAN Books on October 24, 2009, Sorley- who led atank battalion in the war- said that a war like that in Vietnam or Afghnistan should be fought only if there is public support behind it on both sides of the poilitical spectrum. He also said that American entry into the Vietnam conflict itself is a contentious issue in that he thinks a good argument could be made for and against entry.
Grouped Articles
Fighting a War in Asia, Then and Now
New York Times 10/22/2009
Kerry Calls for Patient Strategy in Afghanistan
New York Times 10/27/2009
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
We took a different way to help millions around the world build educated informed mindsets that affects and shapes their lives. For a future that is open, global and digital, with everyone having access to high quality information. We believe in the renewal of America, renewal of Europe, the renewal of India, the rest of Asia, Latin America and Africa. The renewal of our supply chains, health, education, infrastructure, as we rebuild our countries after the pandemic. Literacy and knowledge we believe cannot thrive and grow in a world of web bots, web crawlers, or AI. This requires human curiosity, human learning, and human imagination. We take as inspiration the saying- “One has to be free, and as broad as sky. One has to have a mind that is crystal clear, only then can truth shine in it.” Every contribution whether big or small is precious- in this crisis and ahead.
Support Lyrarc from as small as $1
Terms and Conditions | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Contact Us