Kick the 'Stans

Friends,
We don't need a better strategy. We need "a" strategy. Our troops are dying while Washington sleeps.

Peace and Love,
Rev O

Caught in the Cross-Fire New York Times Editorial
Unless the Pentagon comes up with a better strategy, the United States and its allies may well lose the war in Afghanistan.

"Civilians in Afghanistan are paying a deadly price in the war against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. America is fast losing the battle for hearts and minds, and unless the Pentagon comes up with a better strategy, the United States and its allies may well lose the war."

"Afghans once looked on American troops as their liberators, but far too many have come to see them as enemies. Add to that the corruption and incompetence of the government of Afghanistan’s American-backed president, Hamid Karzai, and we fear Afghans are being driven back into the hands of the repressive Taliban."

"Pakistan’s political situation is extremely fragile, and anti-American sentiment there is fierce. Sending more American troops and planes into Pakistan’s lawless border regions might be worth the backlash if the mission apprehended a top Qaeda operative. That apparently did not happen this week."

"Pakistan’s army, with intelligence help and carefully monitored financial support, should do most of the fighting. Asif Ali Zardari, expected to be Pakistan’s new president, has promised to work to defeat the Taliban and ensure that the country is not used for terrorist attacks. We hope he delivers."