Blogs and Stories
The Holes in Obama's Afghanistan Plan
•Attempting to split up the Taliban and to divide them from al Qaeda.
•Strengthening the government in Kabul and dealing with corruption and the vast drug-production effort in poppy-field heaven.
•Getting the Pakistanis to take troops off their border with India and redeploy them to fight the Taliban and al Qaeda in its northwestern provinces.
These measures, Obama said, will be the means by which we pursue America’s new objectives. Blessedly, Obama excluded from those goals the principal Bush effort to transform Afghanistan into a democratic, free-market paradise. (The resurrection of that effort will have to await the Palin administration.)
Obama had a lot of his own goals to offer instead, including to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.” He offered a number of additional goals as he made his way through his presentation, but rest assured, they only add to the burdens we can expect to bear.
Obama didn’t describe the U.S. aim as he had the last few weeks, namely “to ensure” that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorist attacks. But that was the sum and substance of it. It is a very ambitious goal.
Obama gave us not the slightest glimpse of the policy alternatives he had under review. It’s absolutely critical to our ability to evaluate the good sense of what he’s doing to see what he chose not to do. Did he look, for example, at the alternative of surging for three years to give Afghan friendlies a boost, then withdrawing combat forces, while we tried to split the Taliban and put in place a policy of deterrence and containment of future terrorist threats? Nor did Obama address other policy alternatives.
I can only hope that Congressional leaders will undertake a serious review of Obama’s strategy and where he is taking our country regarding Afghanistan and Pakistan. Better for the likes of Senator John Kerry and others to hold rigorous hearings now rather than to bemoan our unexamined fate in two or three years.
In the private deliberations leading up to today’s speech, Obama repeatedly told his principal advisers that they needed “an exit strategy.” And in Friday’s speech, he stressed that “we will not blindly stay the course.” We can only hope that there is substance behind this phrase and that he and his aides have actually concocted an exit strategy. Of course, I don’t expect him to share that exit strategy with us; it would be unsettling to our friends in South Asia. But I hope he actually has one—unlike the yet-to-come benchmarks.
Leslie H. Gelb, a former New York Times columnist and senior government official, is author of Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy (HarperCollins 2009) which shows how to think about and use power in the 21st century. He is president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations.
The Pure Greed of Obama's Phony Health-Care Reform
Michael Moore is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker and author. He directed and produced Roger & Me, Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, and Sicko. He has also written seven books, most recently, Mike’s Election Guide 2008.
Edwards Sex Tape Details
Investigative journalist and syndicated columnist Diane Dimond has covered the Michael Jackson story since 1993 when she first broke the news that the King of Pop was under investigation for child molestation. She is author of the book, Be Careful Who You Love—Inside the Michael Jackson Case. She lives in New York with her husband, broadcast journalist Michael Schoen.
Look Who's Irish!
The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
Israel Plays with Fire
Leslie H. Gelb, a former New York Times columnist and senior government official, is author of Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy (HarperCollins 2009), a book that shows how to think about and use power in the 21st century. He is president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations.
More Drama Would Help Obama
Leslie H. Gelb, a former New York Times columnist and senior government official, is author of Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy (HarperCollins 2009), a book that shows how to think about and use power in the 21st century. He is president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Rumbling Over Rahm
Leslie H. Gelb, a former New York Times columnist and senior government official, is author of Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy (HarperCollins 2009), a book that shows how to think about and use power in the 21st century. He is president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Johnnorth
Bravo for Mr. Gelb and his clear-sighted analysis.
Would that someone somewhere had been as prudent pre the Bush-Rumsfeld excursion.
Ritarita
The real
Question here
Is whether we can
Negotiate
With certain elements
Of the Taliban
The way we did
In Iraq
With terrorists
There.
Those
Negotiations
Once unthinkable
Were behind
The real
Sucess
Of the 'surge'.
dana64
Mr Gelb you make sense an I share your concerns but why do you not offer a solution.?
Unfortunately, Al-Qaeda and the extremists Talibans are like MAD MEN.
What do you do with them ? they will always be able to bomb and commit suicide missions.
Today an afghan soldier killed 2 US soldiers..........and then killed himself.
THIS IS REALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
I would go a totally different way.
asbfld
1. what on earth makes Obama think all those countries that he lists are going to assist us? Do they even want to have anything to do with us as far as Afghanistan goes?
2. it would probably help the US effort if we stopped killing civilians--you know bombing wedding parties and the like.
F4unner
"It's absolutely critical to our ability to evaluate the good sense of what he's doing to see what he chose not to do."
yes... it most certainly IS as critical as it is obvious by its lack of inclusion... and the measure of good sense in a critique is the ability to evaluate what one sees now within the context of what has been seen before... although... such a statement does provide a valuable insight into one's incapacity for neither not seeing what has been seen before, but for also not seeing that what one sees already provides insight into what one cannot see...
iow... what is rather easy to see within this critique is a marked bias against evaluating what one sees through an objective lens in favour of fabricating criticisms which serve no purpose other than to be critical whilst indulging in a transparent attempt to elevate one's critique beyond blatant partisanship...
Gevlyn
I am so glad that Les Gelb probes the Obama policies and demands results.I trust he will continue and that these blogs will keep coming on The Daily Beast.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
Nancianne
That horrible, narcissistic Clinton managed to get her fat face on the camera the whole time PRESIDENT Obama was speaking. She will never get over the fact that she didn't win the nomination. President got her out of the senate . It is now time to get her out of government COMPLETELY!!!!!!
As for the issue at hand , we should get out of both places as as soon as possible. Or go into the mountains and get Bin Laden. No pussy footing around with our nation building....
Martyz42
Mr. Gelb has done a good job in finding something to write about BUT what he has not found is a plan without a way out. The way out is very simple & will happen before 2011 ends. We will have trained the war lords, built a few buildings & schools, talked to a few of the enemy & we will declare victory & we will leave. Mr. Gelb by then will have the time to write another article on how the victory was hollow or some other type nonsense & sell more type to make him money & keep his job.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
Ritarita
Mr. Gelb
This is
Too serious
An issue
For this site.
Allow me
To suggest
Michelle Bachmann
As a subject
for your next blog.
Guaranteed
Eyeballs.
I enjoy your
TV
Appearances.
Kingyahoo
Mr. Gelb wrote a good column. So does everyone else who does not understand other cultures, especially when it comes to imposing others' value on a people who have vanquished every foreigner who came knocking. The Russians were next door and they left with their tail nicely tucked between their legs.
America has no idea how it elevates pride among Muslims, albeit those who are misguided. The issue among determined Afghans and Pakistanis are to not only enforce the Sharia Law (with all its misinterpretation), but to let the Western world know Islam conquered Spain and left their imprint at Alhambra, they were at the gate of Vienna, not to mention its prowess in mathematics, medicine, architectures, and a taxation code to help those in need.
The unconditional support for Israel is a sour point and the Americans still do not get it. I am not going to explore the reasons in any detail. Suffice to say it is traditional for every presidential candidate to go beginning for money. The selling pitch: "America will always be a friend of Israel and will defend Israel." It is costing the American people a fortune. The bill should be sent to tel-Aviv. I will also mention the double standard: Iran and others should respect U.N. resolutions with the threat and implimentation of sanctions.
Does anyone think it is kosher for Israel to defy United Nations resolutions, while the U.S.A uses its veto to maintain the status quo? The Muslim world is bitter. Deep inside, any defiance, or any small victory over America pleases every Muslim.
Dr. M. H. Rajabally
ldcreo
Where were all of these armchair critics when Bush was digging us into this hole? Suddenly everybody knows what the holes are in President Obama's plans. Alas, so few have any alternatives whatsoever. It's getting boring.
Kingyahoo
Thank you for your objectivity. I am disappointed you removed my post. I will attempt to to re-submit it.
Mr. Gelb wrote a good column. So does everyone else who does not understand other cultures, especially when it comes to imposing others' value on a people who have vanquished every foreigner who came knocking. The Russians were next door and they left with their tail nicely tucked between their legs.
America has no idea how it elevates pride among Muslims, albeit those who are misguided. The issue among determined Afghans and Pakistanis are to not only enforce the Sharia Law, but to let the Western world know Islam conquered Spain and left their imprint at Alhambra, they were at the gate of Vienna, not to mention its prowess in mathematics, medicine, architectures, and a taxation code to help those in need.
The unconditional support for Israel is a sour point and the Americans still do not get it. I am not going to explore the reasons in any detail. Suffice to say it is traditional for every presidential candidate to go beginning for money. The selling pitch: "America will always be a friend of Israel and did defend Israel."
Does anyone think it is kosher for Israel to defy United Nations resolutions, while the U.S.A uses its veto to maintain the status quo? The Muslim world is bitter. Deep inside, any defiance, or any small victory over America pleases every Muslim.
The problems America faces in that part of the world are colossal. Until the Israeli-Palestinian problem is solved, it is going to get worse. Just ask all the past invaders.
Kingyahoo
Mr. Gelb wrote a good column. So does everyone else who does not understand other cultures, especially when it comes to imposing others' value on a people who have vanquished every foreigner who came knocking. The Russians were next door and they left with their tail nicely tucked between their legs.
America has no idea how it elevates pride among Muslims, albeit those who are misguided. The issue among determined Afghans and Pakistanis are to not only enforce the Sharia Law (with all its misinterpretation), but to let the Western world know Islam conquered Spain and left their imprint at Alhambra, they were at the gate of Vienna, not to mention its prowess in mathematics, medicine, architectures, and a taxation code to help those in need.
The unconditional support for Israel is a sour point and the Americans still do not get it. I am not going to explore the reasons in any detail. Suffice to say it is traditional for every presidential candidate to go beginning for money. The selling pitch: "America will always be a friend of Israel and will defend Israel." It is costing the American people a fortune. The bill should be sent to tel-Aviv. I will also mention the double standard: Iran and others should respect U.N. resolutions with the threat and implimentation of sanctions.
Does anyone think it is kosher for Israel to defy United Nations resolutions, while the U.S.A uses its veto to maintain the status quo? The Muslim world is bitter. Deep inside, any defiance, or any small victory over America pleases every Muslim.
Dr. M. H. Rajabally
pnugskay
Mr. Gelb article on the holes in Obama's Afghanistan plan simply scratch the surface. Would you please follow up on this matter...because "the media" left this argument's and concern you so rightly raised in this article. Well done.
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.