Obama May Let Taliban Stay in Afghanistan (Updated)
[Guest post by DRJ]
The AP reports the Obama Administration is considering a strategy that focuses on al Qaeda and allows Taliban rule in parts of Afghanistan:
“Obama’s developing strategy on the Taliban will “not tolerate their return to power,” the senior official said in an interview with The Associated Press. But the U.S. would fight only to keep the Taliban from retaking control of Afghanistan’s central government – something it is now far from being capable of – and from giving renewed sanctuary in Afghanistan to al-Qaida, the official said.
The official is involved in the discussions and was authorized to speak about them but not to be identified by name because the review is still under way.
Bowing to the reality that the Taliban is too ingrained in Afghanistan’s culture to be entirely defeated, the administration is prepared to accept some Taliban role in parts of Afghanistan, the official said. That could mean paving the way for Taliban members willing to renounce violence to participate in a central government – the kind of peace talks advocated by Afghan President Hamid Karzai to little receptiveness from the Taliban. It might even mean ceding some regions of the country to the Taliban.”
The Obama Administration can’t seriously believe the Taliban will renounce al Qaeda and other violent Islamic groups, but it may believe Americans don’t care about Afghanistan anymore. If either is true then we learned nothing from 9/11.
I think Obama likes this strategy because it lets him avoid sending more troops to Afghanistan. It also makes a stalemate more likely and encourages violence against Americans and Afghan civilians. But if the President’s goal is to save face with his base at home, this works.
— DRJ
UPDATE: Compare this AP report with today’s State Department briefing on the subject.
only an empty headed moron or a clueless naif would think this was a good idea.
unfortunately, Ear Leader is both.
the upside is, if he actually goes through with this, is that he will then be guaranteed to replace Carter as the all time worst American president.
redc1c4 (fb8750) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:30 pmEPIC FAIL – Seriously, what could go wrong!
The Taliban wouldn’t renounce or give up Al Queda after 9/11 and they’ve been fighting side by side ever since so they’re even more entwined. Who is telling the administration this is a good idea? Have we been infiltrated by “moderate” Taliban. Heh!
daleyrocks (718861) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:31 pmThis has Sloe-Joe written all over it.
AD - RtR/OS! (814db9) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:34 pmThis kind of nonsense is what happens when the juvenile party is elected to office. Unbelievable.
SPQR (26be8b) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:42 pmIt’s ennobling to see that the little president man feels comfortable showing his silly side to the world. It’s so profoundly… human.
O the songs the children will sing!
happyfeet (6b707a) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:45 pmAnd Herr Hitler was
Icy Texan (43c637) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:47 pmsatisfiedappeased with just a little corner of the Czech Republic, too.But if the President’s goal is to save face with his base at home, this works.
This is his default position. It’s his top priority. And if there is a way to vote present, he will. Other than that, his arrogant ignorance and sense of self-preservation is going to be many a people’s downfall.
I can’t but think that women in the regions that face possible Taliban rule have a very ugly future. Life is going to get much, much harder for them. Brutal, actually.
Dana (863a65) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:49 pmPretty much what happened in Northern Ireland. With an assist from Slick Willy, of course.
Gazzer (22ecdc) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:50 pmHey, it’s no problem! That’s a great idea. If Obama will just send the Taliban a Coke, teach them to sing happy songs, then we’ll all be able to share a happy smile.
LCP (6e6ed0) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:51 pmComment by SPQR — 10/8/2009 @ 7:42 pm
Government for the Children, of the Children, & by the children!
AD - RtR/OS! (814db9) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:52 pm“I can’t but think that women in the regions that face possible Taliban rule have a very ugly future. Life is going to get much, much harder for them. Brutal, actually.”
Dana – The feminists in the U.S. have been a true inspiration in standing up for the women in Afghanistan!!!!!
daleyrocks (718861) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:53 pmDana – Other muslim countries too.
GAH!!!!!
daleyrocks (718861) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:54 pmWhat say you, Chimperor?
JD (b8912c) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:55 pmThe Chimperor is hung up on comparitive evil.
AD - RtR/OS! (814db9) — 10/8/2009 @ 7:56 pm[…] the same day the AP reported the White House may let the Taliban stay in power in Afghanistan, Department of State spokesman Ian […]
Patterico’s Pontifications » Department of State Briefing on Afghanistan (e4ab32) — 10/8/2009 @ 8:08 pmThis will go down in history as the day the Obama surrendered.
Neo (7830e6) — 10/8/2009 @ 8:11 pm“She owns this mess. Deal with it folks.”
This is not correct, he is an adult, completely responsible for his actions unless insane (and I don’t think that fits this situation). js
Jesse (f5d42c) — 10/8/2009 @ 8:13 pmSorry guys, ‘cross posted’. js
Jesse (f5d42c) — 10/8/2009 @ 8:14 pm[…] tip to Patterico for the AP […]
Hey, I guess the Taliban ain’t so bad after all « Blog de KingShamus (186bd9) — 10/8/2009 @ 8:50 pmI hope the military has the stones to reject this profoundly stupid idea. I doubt the Afgans have the strength to reject it but it certainly isn’t in their interest. What a pussy.
Aubrey (67ffcc) — 10/8/2009 @ 9:01 pmI think Afghanistan should just be forced to become Christian. Christians could thereafter just kill Muslims as they find them and not try to determine whether they are this kind of Muslim or that kind of Muslim. It’s impossible to make war while trying to determine that kind of distinction.
Yes, of course that won’t happen, that is why we should withdraw and just create a fortress on our side of the globe. Let the Europeans deal with it and fight for their own presevation. The Euro’s will continue to suck up to the terrorists against us if they feel it gains them some security.
j curtis (baef6f) — 10/8/2009 @ 9:15 pmI think we should all go to our happy place and not worry anymore.
Everything is under control.
Ag80 (d1363b) — 10/8/2009 @ 9:22 pmmy advice to you all is to start drinking heavily.
redc1c4 (fb8750) — 10/8/2009 @ 9:34 pmCanned goods and ammo!
AD - RtR/OS! (814db9) — 10/8/2009 @ 9:45 pmNot satisfied with destroying the US financial system, the housing industry, the public school system, and health care, President Obama has now targeted the English language itself for overhaul.
Soon, all words will have only a temporary, or situational meaning, very much similar to the evolving trends surrounding the value of US currency. Words will only have semi-fixed meaning for the brief period immediately during and following expression, a period estimated to be approximately as long as it takes to wash one’s hands.
Thereafter meaning will be adaptable to the then current issue under discussion. Thus will confusion be reduced to a level where clarity and accuracy can be introduced into public expression of Administration policy. No longer will the glorious future be restricted by an unnecessary and arbitrary attachment to a tainted and unhealthy past.
To those who would presume to intrude into matters beyond their station, be reminded that the well-being of the world is more important than the shibboleths of an ancient and useless sentimental attachment to outworn creeds.
We all must look forward to the day we can finally be proud of our country.
ropelight (8ab8e3) — 10/9/2009 @ 7:18 am