Disappointed and Resigned

12/3/09

So, we are going to be surging in Afghanistan. That disappoints me as I think we should be getting out. But, there is nothing really we can do to change that decision, so I am resigned and hoping for the best. After all - I was, fortunately, wrong about the Iraqi surge and that actually seems to have worked.

Perhaps we can actually accomplish something worthwhile by sending more troops. And at least Obama seems committed to bypassing the Karzai government as much as possible, focusing on local leaders with some integrity - we hope anyway.

About all that can be accomplished in the 1-year time frame he has given - is that we hit the Taliban/Al Qaida hard and then leave and hope that Afghanistan steps up and keeps them out. Even if Afghanistan fails to contain the Taliban, that is ok. We were hitting Al Qaida in these places without being an occupying force and without being in a state of constant war. And I am fine with that. Let's just hope that it works.