Afghanistan was lost when the US decided that a side-trip into Iraq would be much more fun. Afghanistan is not a failed state: it is a fucked up state, fucked up by the Cold War and it's ramifications, used as a pawn by the self-appointed Wolrd Powers in their little game of power politics.
And I have no patience at all for "long term thinker" posing: long term thinkers would have worked this out before fucking the place up in the beginning.
For your peace of mind, by "we" I was referring to Europeans and by extension, to those contributing to, reading, etc. the European Tribune.
Agree that the Iraq beachead was a catastrophic pivot in that US world supremacist game.
Re "... by the self-appointed Wolrd Powers in their little game of power politics.
Re: And I have no patience at all for "long term thinker" posing: long term thinkers would have worked this out before fucking the place up in the beginning.
Three things just to set the record straight:
1) You're having 'no patience' is irrelevant to the piece... But for the sake of argument, I don't see any "posing" there at all -- the author was referring to a given problem that is Afghanistan today and not before NATO came into the picture.
2) Also, by inference, you say that the author "fucked the place up" but I don't see where or how the author fucked up Afghanistan -- as far as this space is concerned the author was merely trying to advance his own thoughts on where his choices lay.
The upshot is that we have a choice: Spend money and send soldiers and supporters into the world to protect our way of life and accept losses in both lives and financial terms, OR live on the fat for a time and then spend more and more on security at home and accept more and more attacks and loss of life at home. In other words small pain and then gain today against large pain and loss in the future.
3) I understand that you are frustrated... but perhaps YOU have a better proposition, so out with it! Well and good to criticise someone who wants to join the debate and who advances a personal opinion about very complex problems but I don't see how gratuitous comments can contribute to the debate.
live on the fat for a time and then spend more and more on security at home and accept more and more attacks and loss of life at home.
The premise of more attacks at home ("fighting them there so that we don't have to fight them here") is the fundamental flaw of all these reasonings, like it is of the "War on Terra". There will not be "more and more attacks at home".
I'll repeat again my position on this:
Let's stop propping up corrupt regimes in these countries and the Islamic threat will disappear in a generation. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
Re: we are supporting corrupt authoritarian regimes in the region...
(We? as in my definition of "We "?) I agree that the West shouldn't help prop up/support corrupt regimes.
I do have a better proposition: apologise for the string of cock-ups "we" in "the West" have perpetrated in assorted countries, decide on a set of principles for foreign policy and stick to them rather than lying through our teeth about "nation building" (so long as the nations are happy to be vassals ) and "democracy" (so long as the democracy arrives at an answer "we" approve of). Pursue win-win solutions and take into account the legitimate interests of other counties and drop the macho bullshit that currently passes for diplomacy. Talk to anyone who wants to talk to us to see what we can do for each other rather than trying to insist they give us want we want before we even negotiate.
The author is writing as a representative and a member of NATO and "the West": it is in that capacity that I'm attacking him, as you should well know.
Excellent propositions Colman! Personally have nothing against trying them but their execution will depend on people and given today's current crop of politicians and leaders, not to speak of an incredibly divided international community, who will or can do/execute them?
Re: "The author is writing as a representative and a member of NATO and "the West": it is in that capacity that I'm attacking him, as you should well know. "
OK, my fault; can't identify the author except that he joined NATO long after ISAF was deployed to Afghanistan. I honestly believe that he must be given credit for what he said about doing something in nation building; he's one of the military people I know who does not believe in a military solution being the only solution.
NATION- BUILDING 101: what to do if you have fucked up?
1) Announce that you're withdrawing after there are free and fair (representative) elections. Secure them while preparing to leave.
2) Make sure the elected government is set up and ready to work. Use diplomacy to guarantee that neighboring states respect it (ideally: get their support).
3) Negotiate a cooperation treaty with the new government, along the lines of debt relief, fair trade, military/ police training, logistical, development and humanitarian aid. Respect the deals made with the neighbors. Make conditions for any help given: democratic principles, a transparent budget, rule of law, separation of church and state. Set benchmarks for success.
4) Set up a permanent body of diplomats, human rights watchers, governance advisers and aid workers, both WesternTM and local, to watch over the agreed rules and discuss arising problems.
5) Get the soldiers out (maybe except for a small response force in the capital for a limited amount of time).
6) Phase out remaining advisers and military personnel (depending on the benchmarks).
NOTE: Remember to adapt this strategy to the country in question. All major ethnic groups or "other powers" should be represented in the government, except for those totally opposed to the set conditions.
SIDE NOTE: Let me add that trade and development policies should always be tied in with foreign policy. The future representing and negotiating team for the EU should include both presidents (Commission and Council), both trade and development commissioners and be led by the HRCSFP. "If you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles." Sun Tzu
