Two-thirds of Germans oppose the country's almost eight-year long involvement in Afghanistan, although the mission is backed by all of the political parties, apart from the far-left Left Party. If anything, recent events have eroded public support even further with an airstrike involving a German officer most likely having led to civilian deaths compounded by the fiasco of the Afghan presidential elections. Nevertheless Guttenberg seems intent on raising the profile of Germany's mission rather than sweeping it under the carpet. Since taking office two weeks ago he has single-handedly overturned years of government efforts to present Germany's involvement in the ISAF mission as a kind of military led school-building exercise. The public have never bought this line. A war by any other name is still a war. Guttenberg has recognized that neither the public nor the military are served by these attempts at a semantic smokescreen. Indeed he has argued that politicians need to "bring the mission into the consciousness of the public." In his very first interview after taking on the defense portfolio in the new center-right coalition, Guttenberg broke the long-standing taboo, describing the conditions in Afghanistan as "war-like." And he has repeated this term in subsequent interviews, saying that when soldiers are faced with danger and the risk of death and injury then they might well describe their experience as war. Guttenberg's predecessor Jung refused to use the term, instead describing it repeatedly as a "stabilization mission."
Two-thirds of Germans oppose the country's almost eight-year long involvement in Afghanistan, although the mission is backed by all of the political parties, apart from the far-left Left Party. If anything, recent events have eroded public support even further with an airstrike involving a German officer most likely having led to civilian deaths compounded by the fiasco of the Afghan presidential elections.
Nevertheless Guttenberg seems intent on raising the profile of Germany's mission rather than sweeping it under the carpet. Since taking office two weeks ago he has single-handedly overturned years of government efforts to present Germany's involvement in the ISAF mission as a kind of military led school-building exercise. The public have never bought this line. A war by any other name is still a war.
Guttenberg has recognized that neither the public nor the military are served by these attempts at a semantic smokescreen. Indeed he has argued that politicians need to "bring the mission into the consciousness of the public." In his very first interview after taking on the defense portfolio in the new center-right coalition, Guttenberg broke the long-standing taboo, describing the conditions in Afghanistan as "war-like." And he has repeated this term in subsequent interviews, saying that when soldiers are faced with danger and the risk of death and injury then they might well describe their experience as war. Guttenberg's predecessor Jung refused to use the term, instead describing it repeatedly as a "stabilization mission."
It seems this yuppie, talked up by the media as 'rising star' is seen as the saviour by Atlanticists. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
To make up for a lack of manpower in the fight against the Taliban, the Afghan government has encouraged the formation of armed militias in Kunduz Province. But German soldiers fighting in the area are unsure how to deal with these roving bands of guerillas fighters.
"How do you signal resolve and at the same time signal you are not going to be there forever?" asked Gates, adding that it was a challenge to "get that balance right." Obama is said to have been presented with a series of options on Afghanistan, three of which envisage reinforcements ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 troops and a fourth that has an undisclosed military element. He was examining how to "combine some of the best features of several of the options to maximum good effect," Gates said.
Obama is said to have been presented with a series of options on Afghanistan, three of which envisage reinforcements ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 troops and a fourth that has an undisclosed military element.
He was examining how to "combine some of the best features of several of the options to maximum good effect," Gates said.
(Read on to article downthread: sounds like FUBAR.) *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
The West's military strategy in Afghanistan slipped even deeper into confusion yesterday after President Barack Obama flatly rejected all four options for increases in troop levels presented to him by his team of national security aides. The delay was prompted in part by a last-minute bombshell from the US ambassador in Kabul. In two cables to the President, Karl Eikenberry argued it would be a bad idea to increase troop levels because of the ineptitude of President Hamid Karzai, who finally secured a second term last week after the fraud-marred mess of the August elections. By speaking up, Mr Eikenberry has put himself on a direct collision course with the US military leader in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal. US commanders in Kabul greeted the envoy's intervention with dismay although some civilian officials believe the development gives Mr Obama a valuable breathing space in which to explore the least harmful ways out of a seemingly intractable situation. The procrastination may point to a possible swing in sentiment in Washington toward those who fear a Vietnam War-type quicksand.
The West's military strategy in Afghanistan slipped even deeper into confusion yesterday after President Barack Obama flatly rejected all four options for increases in troop levels presented to him by his team of national security aides.
The delay was prompted in part by a last-minute bombshell from the US ambassador in Kabul. In two cables to the President, Karl Eikenberry argued it would be a bad idea to increase troop levels because of the ineptitude of President Hamid Karzai, who finally secured a second term last week after the fraud-marred mess of the August elections. By speaking up, Mr Eikenberry has put himself on a direct collision course with the US military leader in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal. US commanders in Kabul greeted the envoy's intervention with dismay although some civilian officials believe the development gives Mr Obama a valuable breathing space in which to explore the least harmful ways out of a seemingly intractable situation. The procrastination may point to a possible swing in sentiment in Washington toward those who fear a Vietnam War-type quicksand.
PARIS -- As the Obama administration debates whether to commit more American troops to Afghanistan, Germany announced a modest increase in its contingent on Friday, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain said he was pressing European and other allies to deploy 5,000 more soldiers. Confronting deepening discontent in his own country about Britain's role and mounting casualties in Afghanistan, Mr. Brown told an interviewer on BBC radio that he was pressing allies to share the load in the war. With 9,000 troops in Afghanistan, Britain is the second largest contributor to the 43-nation alliance. The United States has 68,000 troops."I have taken the responsibility of asking others in Europe and outside Europe if they will back this strategy of partnering the Afghan forces, mentoring the Afghan forces," Mr. Brown said. He was speaking toward the end of a week during which he had taken a series of political blows over Afghanistan, including a fracas over a handwritten condolence letter he sent to the mother of a slain soldier. The mother, Jacqui Janes, publicly railed at its spelling errors and accused him of failing to provide equipment to protect British soldiers from the resurgent Taliban.
PARIS -- As the Obama administration debates whether to commit more American troops to Afghanistan, Germany announced a modest increase in its contingent on Friday, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain said he was pressing European and other allies to deploy 5,000 more soldiers.
Confronting deepening discontent in his own country about Britain's role and mounting casualties in Afghanistan, Mr. Brown told an interviewer on BBC radio that he was pressing allies to share the load in the war. With 9,000 troops in Afghanistan, Britain is the second largest contributor to the 43-nation alliance. The United States has 68,000 troops.
"I have taken the responsibility of asking others in Europe and outside Europe if they will back this strategy of partnering the Afghan forces, mentoring the Afghan forces," Mr. Brown said. He was speaking toward the end of a week during which he had taken a series of political blows over Afghanistan, including a fracas over a handwritten condolence letter he sent to the mother of a slain soldier. The mother, Jacqui Janes, publicly railed at its spelling errors and accused him of failing to provide equipment to protect British soldiers from the resurgent Taliban.
