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Weakening, possible firing of McChrystal compounds sense of peril in Afghanistan
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An inherent division between the two sides about the merits of a large scale involvement- as advocated by a tactical military man McChrystal and the limited involvement advocated by Vice President Biden considering the lack of a reliable Afghan partner - have now spilled out into the open after a compromise was patched together about a year ago. That compromise involved sending more troops but with a deadline for withdrawal set for July 2011. Now as the war reaches a stalemate -as a war of this type in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, and as ordinary Afghans see no particular interest in either side in this war, was largely expected to turn out into- the frustration has spilled out into the open. General McChrystal, in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine this Spring, made comments with disdain for Vice President Biden, and an aide to McChrystal called National Security Advisor James Jones , a clown.
A must read from soviet archives about a Soviet general making the same request McChrystal is making.
10/20/2008
With 110,000 troops in Afghnistan, Soviet general Akhromeyev made the request for more troops in the seventh year of a nine year Soviet Afghan conflict. The Soviets could not maintain political control outside the provincial capitals as the insurgents simply disappeared into the hills, in so vast a country, is how he put it to the Soviet Politburo. In th same manner Russian Ambassador to Kabul, Kabulov, who was the KGB chief in Kabul during the soviet Afghan conflict, says there is an "irrtitive allergy" to foreigners for Afghans in the villages and hills that makes a large foreign presence costly and dangerous approach. A must read as the US is at a similiar juncture in its version of the Afghan conflict, and bad choices could prove very costly for the country as it did for the soviets.
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Veteran reporter Dexter Filkins of the NYT talks with McChrystal and looks at the war upfront.
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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.
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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.
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The language is strong and rejects McChrystal's appraisal that additional troops can make the difference considering the failure of the Karzai government and the poor prospects for the Afghan army.
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