Posted on 04/13/2009 7:51:43 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
The center of gravity in the U.S. war against Islamic extremism is moving east, from Iraq to Afghanistan, and the first Minnesota congressman to personally chart the new course is Rep. John Kline, a Lakeville Republican who was recently named to the House Intelligence Committee.
Kline, just back from a secret trip to Afghanistan, gave a sober assessment Monday of the task ahead. "You've got a tougher opponent in Afghanistan than we had in Iraq," Kline said in an interview with the Star Tribune, his first upon returning from a congressional tour that included Turkey, Israel, the West Bank and Pakistan.
The trip comes as President Obama has announced plans to shift troops out of Iraq and beef up U.S. forces in Afghanistan, where U.S. and international troops have been battling Al-Qaida and Taliban fighters since the 9/11 attacks.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Ping.....
It’s not a tougher opponent in Afghanistan. All you have to do is convince the tribal elders that it is in their best interest to be on your side.
The Godfather would have known how to make them an offer they couldn’t refuse.
Do that, and presto, you have peace and tranquility there.
And that includes the tribal leaders in what used to be called (erroneously) “Pakistan” (which is less of a nation now than it used to be formerly).
NOT tougher. Just different.
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