Armitage on Pakistan’s spies, Bush’s errors, Egypt’s novels

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Thursday, December 3, 2009 - 12:53 PM Share

Richard Armitage is an unusual guy in Washington -- both candid and well-spoken. He also has a talent for making the right enemies. Now he of thick neck and broad shoulders has given an interesting interview to Prism, which is some sort of new publication at the National Defense University. 

Some highlights:

  • At first, the U.S. government was able to keep Pakistani intelligence from meddling in Afghanistan. "The second surprise was frankly how successful we were for the first 4 years-almost 5 years-at keeping the ISI [Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence] relatively out of it. They were so shocked with the speed at which we invaded Afghanistan that I think the ISI felt it was only a matter of time until we prevailed." Armitage's timeline here suggests to me that Afghanistan started really falling apart when the ISI went back in. That's an interesting conclusion
  • He says Bush and his war cabinet never formally considered whether to invade Iraq. "Never to my knowledge, and I'm pretty sure I'm right on this, did the President ever sit around with his advisors and say, 'Should we do this or not?' He never did it."
  • The Bush administration didn't understand democracy and how to encourage it. "The Bush administration's push for votes as though voting equals democracy was wrong-headed because a vote is something that happens inside a democracy, but is not necessary for a democracy. You can have a democratic system without having people raise their hands and have a secret ballot. Loya jirgas to some extent are these."
  • He believes Bush administration actions undercut the American position abroad. "It's harder and made more complex when we abuse the writ of habeas corpus here or when we torture people."
  • Reading  he recommends, and why:  "Have you read the novels of Naguib Mahfouz? They're great, and through them all you get a couple of things, I think. First, the good humor of Egyptians; they have enormous good humor. Second, patience and long suffering, but you realize that at some point in time you can't joke something away. You can't outwait it. I would be afraid the tipping point is going to come, and particularly now that the strategic center of gravity in the Middle East has shifted to Riyadh and away from Cairo."

Alex Wong/Getty Images

EXPLORE:CENTRAL ASIA, MIDDLE EAST, AFGHANISTAN, BUSH'S LEGACY, INTELLIGENCE, PAKISTAN
 

TYRTAIOS

1:35 PM ET

December 3, 2009

Dick's still talking

Armitage is a guy that likes to gab, and has been known to gab a little too much - he can't help himself. I noticed in his updated bio it mentions he's fluent in Vietnamese?

All I'll say on the subject is, thoy kohng hee-oh. :|

 

RUBBER DUCKY

2:02 PM ET

December 3, 2009

Good guy

A shipboard naval officer and a handball player. Makes him a certified good guy. And he's right.

 

JIMMY W

4:26 PM ET

December 3, 2009

Cairo to Riyadh?

Is that part of that slide showing our strategic objective in the Middle East: "Iraq the tactical pivot, Saudi Arabia the strategic pivot, Egypt the prize"?

 

WALKING WOUNDED

10:24 PM ET

December 3, 2009

Egypt has the manpower, and the intellectual capital

at the heart of Arab islamic fundamentalism and populism. As the oil runs low, Suez may assert even greater strategic significance for Europe.

Our largest 'peacetime' CIA station is in Egypt. Go figure

 

DATROY

8:03 PM ET

December 3, 2009

PRISM is the new journal of

PRISM is the new journal of the Center for Complex Operations at NDU. It is a joint DoD/DoS/AID venture to improve whole of government efforts in IW, COIN and Stability operations.

http://www.ccoportal.org/

 

WALKING WOUNDED

10:17 PM ET

December 3, 2009

George at Stratfor, on ISI's role in Obama's war

Friedman draws a lesson from the '70's defeat of SVN ( and Team Armitage) that I found convincing. It's the intel, stupid.

http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/442059/9e240c3cdc/1641505207/5fe34e8fbb/
Obama's Plan and the Key Battleground
December 2, 2009 | 1155 GMT

 

ADMIRAL

3:14 AM ET

December 4, 2009

"Errors"

Criminal acts described as "Errors." Rule of law only applies in Fly Over.

I wonder how many people Armitage has personally killed.

 

TIMBERLAND

5:09 AM ET

December 8, 2009

Timberland Boots

Mens Custom Timberland Boots
$150.00 $84.00
Save: 44% off
Timberland Custom Boots menPremium Guaranteed Waterproof leather for comfort,

durability and abrasion resistance ; Timberland tree logo stamped on inside of

tongue ; Direct-attach waterproof construction keeps feet dry and comfortable ;

Durable laces with Taslan fibres for long-lasting wear ; Rubber lug outsole for

traction and durability ; Padded collar for a comfortable fit that locks out debris

; Rustproof hardware for long-lasting wear ; Embroidered logo on side

http://www.brawbuy.com/
http://www.myjerseysky.com/
http://www.ghdprincess.com/

 

TIMBERLAND

3:05 AM ET

December 11, 2009

Timberland Boots

Womens Roll-Top Timberland Boots
$143.00 $83.00
Save: 42% off
Timberland Roll-Top Boots womenPremium, full-grain, waterproof leather for comfort, durability and abrasion resistance ; Direct-attach, seam-sealed, waterproof construction keep feet dry in any weather ; Quarter panel crafted with rich shearling leather and is unconstructed so it can be worn up or rolled down ; Durable laces with Taslan? fibers and rustproof hardware for long-lasting wear ; Inside of shoe is lined with shearling - up to the toe box which is lined with breathable fabric ; Rubber lug outsole for traction and durability ; Embossed Timberland tree logo on the side ; Steel shank provides maximum support ; Waterproof

http://www.brawbuy.com/
http://www.myjerseysky.com/
http://www.ghdprincess.com/

http://www.brawbuy.com/
http://www.myjerseysky.com/
http://www.ghdprincess.com/

 

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

Read More