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Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Keywords:
Michael Getler describes the missed opportunity under President Obama for using one of America's most talented diplomats to engineer a peace agreement between the warring factions in Afghanistan- the U.S., the Pakistan army, the ISI and its support in the army, the Taliban, and the other parties such as the Haqqani faction and the Afghan government of Karzai. Holbrooke had used his experience for another President, with the same force of his larger than life personality, when he helped bring about the Dayton Accords in a similiar area of stubborn ethnic strife. Could Obama have tapped Holbrooke's skills and set aside the distractions of his personality as coming from an American with unique gifts, talent and achievement, is the question Getler asks. And is this a comment on the nature of the Obama Presidency and America's poorly invested hopes.
Calls for a complete U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan by 2012
02/05/2011
Grouped Articles
U.S. Military Eyes Afghan Force of 10,000, or a Pullout
New York Times 01/21/2014
U.S. Will Complete Afghan Pullout by End of 2016, Obama Says
New York Times 05/27/2014
Obama Details Plan for Forces in Afghanistan
Wall Street Journal 05/28/2014
Amid Drawdown, Fears of Taliban Resurgence and Economic Collapse
New York Times 05/28/2014
U.S. and British Troops End Operations in Key Afghan Province
New York Times 10/26/2014
Letâs Not Linger in Afghanistan
New York Times 07/04/2011
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 Army and the U.S.
01/07/2008
The increasingly difficult position of General Kayani as he loses support from the rank and file in the army and junior officers on the issue of cooperation with the U.S. Admiral Mullen's criticism of Pakistan after the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul with the help of Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI.
Grouped Articles
Pakistan Vote to Test Army's Willingness to Cede Power
Wall Street Journal 05/09/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Visiting Pakistan, Hagel Seeks to Shore Up Alliance
New York Times 12/09/2013
Pakistani forces kill alleged organizer of school massacre - The Washington Post
Washington Post 12/27/2014
Hamid Gul, 78, Dies; Backed Militants in Leading Pakistan Spy Agency
New York Times 08/16/2015
General Kayani Is Said to Cling to Job in Pakistan
New York Times 06/15/2011
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
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
Costs of the war in Afghanistan compared to the war in Vietnam
10/17/2010
Grouped Articles
The Wars That America Forgot About
New York Times 10/17/2010
New York Times 11/24/2010
Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice
Washington Post 03/02/2011
New York Times 03/05/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
White House Proposes Cap on Wartime Spending
Wall Street Journal 02/13/2012
Cost of the war in Afghanistan.
11/15/2009
With the new mine resistant carrier and the surveillance equipment it costs $1 million for each soldier for 1 year.
Grouped Articles
The Wars That America Forgot About
New York Times 10/17/2010
High Costs Weigh on Troop Debate for Afghan War
New York Times 11/15/2009
The War: A Trillion Can Be Cheap
New York Times 07/24/2010
Loss of Faith in Afghan Leaders May Hurt Push Against Taliban
New York Times 09/04/2010
Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice
Washington Post 03/02/2011
New York Times 03/05/2011
Declining public support in the U.S. for the war in Afghanistan- 2011-2013
08/11/2010
Public opinion polls showing a steep fall in support for the war in 2012, with 69% favoring withdrawal.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 08/11/2010
U.S. Military Eyes Afghan Force of 10,000, or a Pullout
New York Times 01/21/2014
U.S. Will Complete Afghan Pullout by End of 2016, Obama Says
New York Times 05/27/2014
Obama Details Plan for Forces in Afghanistan
Wall Street Journal 05/28/2014
Amid Drawdown, Fears of Taliban Resurgence and Economic Collapse
New York Times 05/28/2014
U.S. and British Troops End Operations in Key Afghan Province
New York Times 10/26/2014
Consensus report of 16 US Intelligence Agencies on Afghanistan and Pakistan in December 2010
12/14/2010
The links between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the situation along the border makes the effort in Afghanistan difficult.
Grouped Articles
Intelligence Reports Offer Dim View of Afghan War
New York Times 12/14/2010
Afghan Report Exposes a Split Over Pullout Timelines
New York Times 12/16/2010
Wall Street Journal 12/27/2010
U.S. efforts fail to convince Pakistan's top general to target Taliban
Washington Post 12/31/2010
New York Times 03/05/2011
New Afghan War Leader Helped Nurture Sunni Awakening in Iraq
Wall Street Journal 04/28/2011
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
Filkins describes a crumbling feudal order of maliks left by the British which makes Afghanistan an even more dangerous place for an American project.
09/07/2008
Dexter Filkins points to another factor in Afghanistan. Not only is there a double game- see the link to Playing the Game- where the army, the ISI and many ordinary Muslims in Pakistan are sympathetic to fellow Muslims fighting the Americans, but there is a social change in process. This may be even more dangerous, as the British left a feudal order intact in Pakistan with a wealthy landholding class, In the Pathan or Pashtun countryside it was run through tribal elders called Maliks, in the Punjab the wealthy feudal landholding ran things pretty much the same way as the British did for the last 50 years. Dexter Filkins points to the crumbling of this structure in the Pathan (Pashtun) countryside.
Grouped Articles
New York Times 09/07/2008
Afghanistan Army Tries to Attract Southern Pashtuns
New York Times 09/06/2011
New York Times 10/07/2011
A New Pakistan Policy: Containment
New York Times 10/14/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
The Afghan Surge Is Over - By Rajiv Chandrasekaran | Foreign Policy
Unknown 09/26/2012
Lakhdar Brahimi and a negotiated peace effort for Afghanistan in 2011-2012
03/22/2011
Grouped Articles
Pakistan to Release Senior Taliban Leader
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2013
Sharif and Karzai Try to Repair Ties
Wall Street Journal 10/30/2013
Leader of Pakistani Taliban Killed in Drone Strike
Wall Street Journal 11/02/2013
Time for a Negotiated Political Settlement for Afghanistan
New York Times 03/22/2011
New Afghan War Leader Helped Nurture Sunni Awakening in Iraq
Wall Street Journal 04/28/2011
Bin Laden's Death Brings Calls for Afghan Pullout
Wall Street Journal 05/02/2011
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
Richard Haas on Afghanistan, Pakistan, U.S. national security goals, and action needed to redirect resources.
09/03/2009
Haas calls Afghanistan a strategic distraction and calls for the redirection of resources. The $125 billion spent there each year should go to address national security goals in areas that need it badly-, to reduce the deficit finances which weakens the US, the growing threats from N. Korea and Iran's nuclear development, and modernization needs in defense.
Grouped Articles
In Pakistan, Echoes of American Betrayal
New York Times 07/31/2010
A Foreign Policy Flirting With Chaos
Wall Street Journal 04/30/2014
U.S. Exploring Deal to Limit Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal
New York Times 10/15/2015
Wall Street Journal 12/20/2010
Wall Street Journal 12/27/2010
U.S. efforts fail to convince Pakistan's top general to target Taliban
Washington Post 12/31/2010
The Eikenberry cables and the war in Afghanistan.
11/28/2009
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.
Grouped Articles
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
Afghan Crisis Risks Splitting Country
Wall Street Journal 07/09/2014
Afghans Offer Jobs to Taliban Rank and File if They Defect
New York Times 11/28/2009
Afghan Tribe, Vowing to Fight Taliban, to Get U.S. Aid in Return
New York Times 01/28/2010
U.S. Envoy’s Cables Show Worries on Afghan Plans
New York Times 01/26/2010
Setting a new direction for the Arab and Muslim world.
01/06/2008
Obama's Cairo speech set the tone. But realities on the ground such as achieving reconciliation and efforts to work together among all political parties and factions as the US leaves Iraq, is crucial to set a new direction on the ground. Friedman says Iraq, Pakistan and Afghaistan are part of the same war. And he points out what other experts are saying that in Afghanistan what is done there stays there. Baghdad has the potential for setting anew direction for the Muslim world, as it has been a centre of education, culture and influence in the Muslim world, in the manner Cairo has.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 09/25/2015
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2009
Addressing Muslim World, Obama Pushes Mideast Peace
New York Times 06/05/2009
Iran President and Challenger Clash in Debate
New York Times 06/04/2009
President Obama's Cairo Appeal
Washington Post 06/05/2009
Wall Street Journal 06/04/2009
The cost of the war in Afghanistan in priorities at home that are neglected.
10/06/2009
What would the $10 billion to $40 billion extra that 40,000 additional troops would cost buy here in the US to meet urgent needs at home. At $10 billion it could send two million disadvantaged children to a solid preschool, and at $40 billion it could, over 10 years, pay for half the cost of health care reform. And that is not counting the estimated $60 billion it takes to maintain the current trrop level.
Grouped Articles
The Wars That America Forgot About
New York Times 10/17/2010
New York Times 10/06/2009
New York Times 10/22/2009
New York Times 11/10/2009
High Costs Weigh on Troop Debate for Afghan War
New York Times 11/15/2009
The War: A Trillion Can Be Cheap
New York Times 07/24/2010
Reports from frontline soldiers in the war in Afghanistan- 2011-2012
06/27/2011
Grouped Articles
Obama’s Afghanistan plan gets mixed reviews from grunts at Fort Campbell - The Washington Post
Washington Post 06/27/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
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 War in Afghanistan as a Forgotten Issue in 2010.
10/17/2010
Grouped Articles
The Wars That America Forgot About
New York Times 10/17/2010
Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice
Washington Post 03/02/2011
Pakistan Spy Agencyâs Help Sought for Afghan Talks
New York Times 10/30/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
Washington Post 12/08/2011
For one war widow, moving on is a marathon - The Washington Post
Washington Post 07/09/2012
The U.S. Dover Air Force Base Mortuary and remains of war dead from Iraq and Afghanistan
11/10/2011
Grouped Articles
Remains of war dead dumped in landfill - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/10/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
Washington Post 12/08/2011
For Youngest Veterans, the Bleakest of Job Prospects
New York Times 12/17/2011
U.S. Deplores Video of Marines Urinating on Taliban
New York Times 01/12/2012
For one war widow, moving on is a marathon - The Washington Post
Washington Post 07/09/2012
A much diminished Al Quaeda in Afghanistan next to a growing Taliban focussed on local issues.
01/06/2008
This factors into whether it makes sense for the US to commit large forces in Afghanistan with no clear mission as General Powell suggests.
Grouped Articles
Leader of Pakistani Taliban Killed in Drone Strike
Wall Street Journal 11/02/2013
Wall Street Journal 06/10/2014
Around an Invisible Leader, Taliban Power Shifts
New York Times 12/28/2014
Unruly Factions Hurt Taliban’s Bid to Capture Afghan Hearts, and Territory
New York Times 01/02/2015
Taliban Leader Mullah Omar Is Dead, Afghan Spy Agency Says
Wall Street Journal 07/30/2015
Al Qaeda's Diminished Role Stirs Afghan Troop Debate
Wall Street Journal 10/06/2009
Criticism of the Obama administration's hesitant response to the protests in Egypt
01/28/2011
Vice President Biden says "I would not call Mubarak a dictator." President Obama fails to take a clear position in support of democracy, freedom of expression and economic opportunity in Egypt.
Grouped Articles
New York Times 08/14/2013
New York Times 08/25/2013
Rice Offers a More Modest Strategy for Mideast
New York Times 10/26/2013
Leaving U.S. Allies Adrift as Chaos Rises
Wall Street Journal 08/01/2014
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Mubarak
New York Times 01/28/2011
The U.S. needs to break with Mubarak now
Washington Post 01/29/2011
Failure of the Obama administration's policies in Egypt
02/01/2011
The warnings of a group led by former secretary of state, Madeline Albright, after the rigged elections in Egypt in 2010, were ignored by Hillary Clinton and President Obama. Senator McCain also led efforts to have the Obama administration recognize the deepening problems with suppression of democratic processes in Egypt. Throughout the crisis the Obama administration failed to take a clear stand for democratic processes in Egypt.
Grouped Articles
New York Times 08/25/2013
Rice Offers a More Modest Strategy for Mideast
New York Times 10/26/2013
U.S. Had Year of Warnings Over Egypt
Wall Street Journal 02/16/2011
Obama Ordered Secret Report on Unrest in Arab World
New York Times 02/16/2011
What we’ve learned in Libya - The Washington Post
Washington Post 08/25/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
How the Muslim world sees America, early in the Obama administration.
01/05/2009
Not much has changed, and in Pakistan it has become more unfavorable after Obama speeches in Cairo and Ankara. The Islamic world and the Middle East has not changed much and some experts say the Arabs see Obama as more rhetoric than substance.
Grouped Articles
âBeyond War,â by David Rohde
New York Times 05/03/2013
U.S. must suspend aid after Egypt’s coup - The Washington Post
Washington Post 07/05/2013
Rice Offers a More Modest Strategy for Mideast
New York Times 10/26/2013
Fouad Ajami: When the Obama Magic Died
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2013
Leaving U.S. Allies Adrift as Chaos Rises
Wall Street Journal 08/01/2014
The Arabs Have Stopped Applauding Obama
Wall Street Journal 11/29/2009
Obama and a Rorschach test presidency.
01/18/2009
The tendency of Obama as Presidential candidate to have all kinds of people project their hopes on him was how this Rorschach test phenomenon worked. This does not work well in the Oval Office. As one columnist puts it, in the President's office people tend to project their fears on Obama instead.
Grouped Articles
Fouad Ajami: When the Obama Magic Died
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2013
On the Daily Show, Obama is the last laugh
Washington Post 10/27/2010
Obama’s State of the Union Lays Out Optimistic Tone
Wall Street Journal 01/13/2016
New York Times 12/04/2010
Katrina vanden Heuvel - Obama: On the way to a failed presidency?
Washington Post 12/07/2010
Tax-cut deal has liberal Democrats fuming
Washington Post 12/07/2010
The Economist magazine and its readers views about the deepening conflict in Afghanistan.
10/15/2009
An overwhelming majority of comments, 90% of 64 comments on the editorial on the October 15 issue on Obama's War, (as of Oct 26, 2009) had serious doubts, serious questions or outright opposition to the expansion of the conflict. The issue was about how this comes out in one, two or three years or four years not about precipitate withdrawal. A bad policy choice now would determine policy choices later.
Grouped Articles
Economist 10/15/2009
Economist 10/15/2009
GOP candidates hammer Obama on his Iran policy during South Carolina debate - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
Support for Afghan War Falls in U.S., Poll Finds
New York Times 03/26/2012
Businesses May Flee Afghanistan After Troop Withdrawal
New York Times 03/30/2012
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
Bruce Reidel, Admiral Mullen and other policymakers on the new U.S. policy in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region for 2012-2013
05/05/2011
Grouped Articles
A New Pakistan Policy: Containment
New York Times 10/14/2011
Pakistan Spy Agencyâs Help Sought for Afghan Talks
New York Times 10/30/2011
Ex-Cricket Star Leads Big Antigovernment Protest in Pakistan
New York Times 10/30/2011
GOP candidates hammer Obama on his Iran policy during South Carolina debate - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
Pakistani ambassador offers resignation - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/17/2011
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
Costs of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq reach $1 trillion by 2010.
07/24/2010
Estimate by the Congressional Research Service.
Grouped Articles
The Wars That America Forgot About
New York Times 10/17/2010
The War: A Trillion Can Be Cheap
New York Times 07/24/2010
Rethinking the Afghanistan Warâs What-Ifs
New York Times 07/31/2010
New York Times 07/31/2010
Wall Street Journal 08/11/2010
Afghanistan's troubled national army: Fixing the unfixable
Economist 08/21/2010
Costs of the war in Afghanistan in human terms.
12/08/2009
Grouped Articles
The Wars That America Forgot About
New York Times 10/17/2010
New York Times 12/08/2009
Loss of Faith in Afghan Leaders May Hurt Push Against Taliban
New York Times 09/04/2010
Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice
Washington Post 03/02/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
Washington Post 12/08/2011
Could peace in the Valley (Kashmir) bring peace to South Asia?
12/06/2006
Is it better, safer and wiser for the US and the Western alliance to have soldiers on the ground in the mountains of Afghanistan or to find peace through diplomacy and negotiations. Diplomacy that knits together the South Asian region by connecting the dots, bring peace to Kashmir, demilitarization of the India-Pakistan border and redirecting the resources, in the trillions of dollars, to trade and investment inside and between South Asia, US and Europe.
Grouped Articles
U.S. Troop Pullout Affects India-Pakistan Rivalry
New York Times 08/16/2013
Pakistan to Release Senior Taliban Leader
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
What They Said: The Army in Kashmir
Wall Street Journal 07/10/2010
Before Taking Office in India, Modi Sends an Invitation to Pakistan
New York Times 05/21/2014
Pakistan Leader's Predicament Shows Power of 'Deep State'
Wall Street Journal 09/10/2014
Drone effort in Afghanistan
01/02/2011
Grouped Articles
With Air Force's new drone, 'we can see everything'
Washington Post 01/02/2011
Drones Evolve Into Weapon in Age of Terror
Wall Street Journal 09/08/2011
A future for drones: automated killing - The Washington Post
Washington Post 09/20/2011
U.S. building secret drone bases in Africa, Arabian Peninsula, officials say - The Washington Post
Washington Post 09/21/2011
U.S. Expands Drone Flights to Take Aim at East Africa
Wall Street Journal 09/21/2011
A New Pakistan Policy: Containment
New York Times 10/14/2011
April 2010 Defense Department biannual report on the war in Afghanistan.
04/29/2010
It shows little progress from the escalated effort, and the critical fact of the lack of acceptance of the Karzai government remains. Of 92 districts assessed in this report none are sympathetic to the Karzai government.
Grouped Articles
Gates Faults Obama Over Afghanistan
Wall Street Journal 01/08/2014
U.S. Report on Afghan War Finds Few Gains in 6 Months
New York Times 04/29/2010
Strategy vs. Tactics in Afghanistan
Wall Street Journal 06/02/2010
Official Admits Militancyâs Deep Roots in Pakistan
New York Times 06/02/2010
McChrystal article renews attention to split with Biden over Afghanistan
Washington Post 06/23/2010
McChrystalâs Fate in Limbo as He Prepares to Meet Obama
New York Times 06/23/2010
Friedman on the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan
01/06/2008
The $110 billion spent in these wars do not advance America's interests or its values. It is better spent at home where there are many pressing needs, especially today when Muslims in the Middle East are engaging in their own struggle for democracy.
Grouped Articles
New York Times 03/05/2011
New York Times 05/14/2011
Economist 05/07/2011
New York Times 11/01/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
New York Times 03/24/2012
India and Pakistan and the tensions in Kashmir and Afghanistan.
12/06/2006
Kashmir tensions are rising. And Indian assistance in Afghanistan reconstruction is opposed by Taliban. This complicates further negotiations between India and Pakistan as Pakistan already is going through political transition and the army runs foreign affairs for Pakistan.
Grouped Articles
Pakistan's New Top Diplomat Heads to Kabul
Wall Street Journal 07/19/2013
U.S. Troop Pullout Affects India-Pakistan Rivalry
New York Times 08/16/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Leader of Pakistani Taliban Killed in Drone Strike
Wall Street Journal 11/02/2013
Taliban Take Toll on Pakistan's Biggest City
Wall Street Journal 02/14/2014
Fractured State of Pakistani Taliban Calls Peace Deal Into Question
New York Times 04/20/2014
Obama and Holbrooke: A Missed Opportunity
01/04/2008
Holbrooke grasped from his long experience in overseas conflicts what the best solution would be for Afghanistan- a negotiated settlement with the Taliban and Pakistan's army. The lack of White House support to the negotiator of the Dayton Peace accords in Bosnia, will remain a puzzling aspect of a landscape in America's costly involvement in two wars. Holbrooke's larger than life personality and style was the same under President Clinton who tapped Holbrooke's skills in America's interest and ignored posssible distractions. The failure of Obama to do the same and accomodate the personality to tap the vast trove of experience and wisdom of Holbrooke in a national crisis of two ongoing wars, is a comment on the nature of the leadership offered by the two presidents. It is a loss for America that goes unnoticed.
Grouped Articles
Pakistan to Release Senior Taliban Leader
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Sharif and Karzai Try to Repair Ties
Wall Street Journal 10/30/2013
Leader of Pakistani Taliban Killed in Drone Strike
Wall Street Journal 11/02/2013
Gates Faults Obama Over Afghanistan
Wall Street Journal 01/08/2014
Back on World Stage, a Larger-Than-Life Holbrooke
New York Times 02/08/2009
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
Richard Holbrooke and America's policy in Pakistan and Afghanistan
01/04/2008
Kristof of the New York Times brings out some of Holbrooke's ideas and understanding of the conflicts in South Asia which have never before been disclosed. Holbrooke preferred a diplomatic settlement and reconciliation policy for the region and believed this was the only policy that would work. He saw the emphasis on the military in the Obama administration's approach, first with Gen. McChrystal and then with Gen. Petraeus, as the wrong way to bring peace to the region. Throughout his diplomacy he earned the respect of Pakistanis he worked with, as he worked to find a diplomatic solution similiar to the one he helped build in the .ethnically fragmented Yugoslavia.
Grouped Articles
Pakistan to Release Senior Taliban Leader
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Sharif and Karzai Try to Repair Ties
Wall Street Journal 10/30/2013
Leader of Pakistani Taliban Killed in Drone Strike
Wall Street Journal 11/02/2013
New York Times 06/11/2010
McChrystal article renews attention to split with Biden over Afghanistan
Washington Post 06/23/2010
Richard Holbrooke, negotiator of the Bosnia accords, and U.S. diplomacy
02/08/2009
Holbrooke was US negotiator in South Asia, with focus on setting up peace accords in Afghanistan, at the time of his death in 2010.
Grouped Articles
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Back on World Stage, a Larger-Than-Life Holbrooke
New York Times 02/08/2009
Wall Street Journal 04/11/2009
Richard C. Holbrooke’s Diary of Disagreement With Obama Administration
New York Times 04/22/2015
Pope Francis Urges a Divided Bosnia to Heal, Declaring ‘War Never Again!’
New York Times 06/06/2015
Brokered accord in Bosnia, sought peace in Afghanistan
Washington Post 12/14/2010
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 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
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
U.S. military families and the sacrifices in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
03/02/2011
A sense that the sacrifice in lives and hardships of U.S. soldiers are known only to a handful of people, as the nation goes about its business and the wars drag on. His loss is the loss of 5500 families who lost sons in the wars says Lt. Gen John Kelly. Young veterans 20-24 face the added hurdle of a 30% unemployment rate as they return.
Grouped Articles
Iraq’s Military Seen as Unlikely to Turn the Tide
New York Times 06/22/2014
Relief Over U.S. Exit From Iraq Fades as Reality Overtakes Hope
New York Times 06/22/2014
Afghanistan Presidential Rivals Sign Power-Sharing Deal
Wall Street Journal 09/21/2014
Mission Ends in Afghanistan, but Sacrifices Are Not Over for U.S. Soldiers
New York Times 12/31/2014
Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice
Washington Post 03/02/2011
U.S. and Iraq Had Not Expected Troops Would Have to Leave
New York Times 10/21/2011
The underlying simmering presence of Kashmir in the India, Pakistan, Afghanistan region, and the need for fresh thinking and starting anew.
12/06/2006
Behind the terrorist groups there is the Kashmir issue. And reports sugest no dimunition in capabilities and thin distance between the intelligence agency and these groups in Pakistan. With cooperation between Indian and Pakistan poice and intelligence at zero a year after 26/11 Mumbai, fresh thinking is needed. For 500 million people in North America and 1500 million people in South Asia these events threaten their economic future, infrastructure and development in South Asia, and economic renewal in North America.
Grouped Articles
U.S. Troop Pullout Affects India-Pakistan Rivalry
New York Times 08/16/2013
A Summer of Troubles Saps Indiaâs Sense of Confidence
New York Times 08/18/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
New York Times 06/11/2010
Pakistan Leader's Predicament Shows Power of 'Deep State'
Wall Street Journal 09/10/2014
Afghanistan Presidential Rivals Sign Power-Sharing Deal
Wall Street Journal 09/21/2014
The wisdom of Chuck Hagel as America faces difficult choices in South Asia and other parts of the world.
01/06/2008
Chuck Hagel talks about how the US must partner with other countries, to solve common problems we face with other large countries around the world. He says President Johnson told Senator Russell that the Vietnam war was not winnable but he did not want to be the first President to lose a war. He says its not about winning or losing anymore, which is a 20th century response to the new 21st century. He points to the interconnectedness and shared interests of all nations that makes it not ours to win or lose. The situation in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan and the US involvement costing upwards of one trillion dollars by one estimate, and the severe budget deficts at home in the US.
Grouped Articles
âBeyond War,â by David Rohde
New York Times 05/03/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Washington Post 11/17/2014
White House seeks a stronger hand at Pentagon to manage crises - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/25/2014
Hagel Resigns Under Pressure as Global Crises Test Pentagon
New York Times 11/24/2014
Chuck Hagel Says About-Face on Syria Hurt Obama’s Credibility
New York Times 12/18/2015
An exceptional and detailed look at President Obama and his first term in office.
01/28/2008
A long informal interview with Obama by Peter Baker of the New York Times, in October 2010. Baker covers all aspects of President Obama's first term in office, and compares Obama's situation with that of his predecessors, Reagan, Clinton and Bush. He uses his personal knowledge of other Presidents to throw more light on the Obama Presidency.
Grouped Articles
Germans Loved Obama. Now We Donât Trust Him.
New York Times 06/29/2013
Where the Buck Stops, Some See a Bystander
New York Times 10/29/2013
As Bush Settles Into Dallas, Golf Tees and Family Time Now Trump Politics
New York Times 11/02/2013
Fouad Ajami: When the Obama Magic Died
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2013
BusinessWeek 04/06/2009
Geithner Book Reveals Consensus, Not VIsion, During Financial Crisis
New York Times 05/21/2014
Calls for President Obama to act decisively in Libya.
03/05/2011
The March 7, 2011 Wall Street Journal editorial calls for military action in Libya to prevent the Ghadafi regime from suppressing the democracy protests inside Libya. Other calls for action from Senators McConnell, McCain, and Kerry over the weekend March 5-6. The slow and hesitant response of the Obama administration.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 09/01/2013
Leaving U.S. Allies Adrift as Chaos Rises
Wall Street Journal 08/01/2014
Turkish Inaction on ISIS Advance Dismays the U.S.
New York Times 10/07/2014
The saddest piece of Barack Obama’s legacy - The Washington Post
Washington Post 04/18/2016
Wall Street Journal 03/06/2011
Wall Street Journal 03/09/2011
Obama's loss of narrative or lack of vision in 2011
01/18/2009
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 09/20/2014
Storytelling Your Way to a Better Job or a Stronger Start-Up
New York Times 12/12/2014
President Obama, Searching for Vision
New York Times 04/09/2011
New York Times 04/10/2011
Obama loses bin Laden bounce; Romney on the move among GOP contenders - The Washington Post
Washington Post 06/07/2011
Squawk treatment: Progressives voice their anger at Obama - The Washington Post
Washington Post 06/24/2011
President Obama and the limits of speechmaking as realities of war and deficits and the jobless sink in.
04/15/2009
Grouped Articles
From President Obama, Economic Clarity but Little Courage
Washington Post 04/15/2009
New York Times 11/06/2009
Broader Measure of U.S. Unemployment Stands at 17.5%
New York Times 11/07/2009
Small Businesses Hunker Down to Survive
New York Times 11/08/2009
Maybe a New Day for Doctors’ Pay
New York Times 11/08/2009
Letters: The Price to Pay for Health Care
New York Times 11/08/2009
The Obama administration's slow response to the democracy movement in Libya
03/01/2011
Grouped Articles
Diplomat Airs Benghazi Attack Details
Wall Street Journal 05/09/2013
Wall Street Journal 06/05/2013
Wall Street Journal 09/01/2013
Rice Offers a More Modest Strategy for Mideast
New York Times 10/26/2013
Leaving U.S. Allies Adrift as Chaos Rises
Wall Street Journal 08/01/2014
The Too Little, Too Late Presidency
Wall Street Journal 02/18/2015
The beginning of a negotiated settlement of the Afghan conflict through direct talks with the Taliban in 2012
11/13/2011
America's veteran diplomat, Richard Holbrooke- who is known for the Dayton Accords that settled the conflict in Yugoslavia-initiated the early efforts for a negotated settlement with all the warring factions including the Taliban, the ISI and the Pakistan military. After his death in 2010, these efforts were continued by Marc Grossman, a former ambassador to Turkey. The Taliban's willingness to open an office in Qatar and the willingness of all sides to talk directly opens the path to a negotiated settlement.
Linked Articles
Against Odds, Path Opens Up for U.S.-Taliban Talks
New York Times 01/11/2012
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
Ambassador Holbrooke and the squandered opportunity for a brighter future for the South Asian region of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan
11/13/2011
Linked Articles
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
Obama and Holbrooke: Missed Opportunities
11/13/2011
Linked Articles
Failed Efforts and Challenges of Americaâs Last Months in Iraq
New York Times 09/22/2012
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
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