Ray McGovern: Afghanistan for Dummies

[laststeamtrain]

Afghanistan for Dummies

By Ray McGovern

September 02, 2009 "Information Clearing House" --- I’m going to ask for my money back. I’ve seen this Afghanistan movie before. The first time, Vietnam was in the title.

As in an early scene from the Vietnam version, U.S. military officials are surprised to discover that the insurgents in Afghanistan are stronger than previously realized.

And our protagonist, Gen. Westmoreland — sorry, I mean McChrystal — sees the situation as serious but salvageable. As Westmoreland did with President Lyndon Johnson, McChrystal is preparing to tell President Barack Obama that thousands of more troops are needed to achieve the U.S. objective — whatever that happens to be.

As in Vietnam, uncertainty about objectives and how to measure success persist in Afghanistan. Never has this come through more clearly than in the fuzzy remarks of “Af-Pak” super-envoy Richard Holbrooke who has purview over Afghanistan and Pakistan.

<snip>

Holbrooke said his Af-Pak squad is “the best team” he’d ever worked with, adding that “Hillary” – the Secretary of State whose last name is Clinton – personally approved “every member.”

<snip>

The whole thing reminds me of the old saw: If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there. (Or you might say Holbrooke’s team finds itself in a dark place peering into the distance looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.)

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http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23410.htm

[whyverne]

1. From "Freedom fighters" to "Terrorists" in one generation.

How did that happen? Actually they didn't change at all. And they're not going to.

[jakeXT]

2. "we'll know it when we see it".... lol

[jonnyblitz]

3. k & r

[Martin Eden]

4. If President Obama is a great leader and communicator ...

... he will explain to the American people our objectives in this war, how they can be achieved, how progress is measured, and what is the exit strategy.