[Dozer523]

Originally Posted by Dad

Is the government in Afghanistan as corrupt as it is portrayed? IMHO Who besides the US cares? More importantly, is it becoming increasingly unpopular? To whom? To Us? Sure seems that way and I wonder why. Karzi has always been "our guy" and there wasn't anyone running against him that would have been more acceptable. Acceptable to us or the Afghans. I would think the second question is the more important since I am pretty sure corruption is not uncommon in that part of the world. Exactly, Business as usual. What was significant was that people were invited to vote, not that their votes might be parlayed on the open market. Is the current government one we can count on in its' present form or does it need to undertake some reforms to be be a reliable partner? Well, he does seem to do what we ask of him even when what we expect may not be what he (HMFIC) thinks is best for his country. Say. . . talking to the Taliban, going the South African Peace and Reconciliation route. Or complaining when over zealous US Marines shoot up every car coming toward them as they drive away from an alleged attack in Jalalabad -- I KNOW I know . . . I just can't seem to let that one go!
If certain reforms are necessary, According to us and the Karzai government does not wish to impose them, it would seem the best lever we would have would be the allocation of resources to them? We seem to have tried that for the past 8 years to what end? Maybe we ought to try to accommodate his plan for Afghanistan. After all he has to live there after we leave. Is it possible McChrystal's plan is being used as a carrot to encourage needed reform? Show us your commitment to reform and we show our commitment with more troops? I certainly hope not. That sounds just a little too Soviet to me. I can't help think the current plan is very much like what the Soviets did. They came in claiming to help. Aside, Did you know that we bought the Afghan military 24 Hind-D helicopters from Uzbekistan? Can anyone think of any vehicle that inspires more fear and loathing for an Afghan then a Hind? Would it be foolish to commit more troops before we had a commitment for reform from Karzai? Yeah, about as nutty as providing Hinds. And maybe foolish since it isn't really what the Afghans think they need or want. And maybe insane since it is the same strategy the Soviets used -- remember how well that worked out. Is it possible the President is playing this right and when Karzai gives us what we feel is necessary, we give him what he wants? What he wants is US gone, what we want is US gone. How well is a 'waiting game" going to accomplish those goals? Or, is any idea of reform "pie in the sky" bs? I don't know if it's BS, but I wonder if imposing 235 YO US values on a 2,350 YO Afghanistan is.
Thank you

Excellent questions Dad, can we play catch now?