Getting smart on Afghanistan (and Pakistan)

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 7:00 PM Share

If we ever want to get out of Afghanistan, we need to focus less on central power in Kabul and more on tribal and religious structures outside the capital. So say my CNAS colleagues -- Nate Fick, Dave Kilcullen, John Nagl and Vikram Singh -- in a new and wise policy brief.

Speaking of Afghanistan, I heard the other day that ISAF (International Security Assistance Force, Afghanistan) really stands for "Internationals Sit, Anglos Fight." But of course, that is only logical, given that its parent organization, NATO, is said to really mean "No Action, Talk Only."

SHAH MARAI/AFP/Getty Images

 
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MOONOFA

7:18 PM ET

January 28, 2009

That's what 'officials'in the NYT say today ...

... but that does not mean it is right.

If you want to get out of Afghanistan, pack up and leave. Al Qaeda can operate from anywhere. The Gates argument that preventing Al Qaeda a haven is bogus. The 9/11 pilots were educated in Hamburg and Florida, not in Kandahar.

The U.S. installed a centralized power in Kabul, against Afghanistan's tradition, and now wonders why that does not work.

Working with the local warlords/governors will not work either. Ask the Soviets, they tried it all.

Get out - fast and without further bombing. Otherwise NATO will be gone before you realize how much you need it.

 

BRETT

10:58 PM ET

January 28, 2009

It's not entirely fair - the

It's not entirely fair - the Dutch are fighting too.

 

REVEREND DOCTOR

11:17 PM ET

January 28, 2009

Make sure everybody realizes

That "tribal and religious structures" in great part means the treatment of women as property, basically. Pashtun customary law accords very few things we call "basic rights." That'll be the official policy of NATO/US in Afghanistan if we take a hands-off approach to tribal and religious structures.

 

MARAUDER DOC

12:56 AM ET

January 29, 2009

I also heard ISAF = I Suntan

I also heard ISAF = I Suntan At FOBS.

 

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military for the Washington Post from 2000 through 2008.

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