Posted on 11/14/2010 7:01:28 AM PST by John W
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the United States must reduce the visibility and intensity of its military operations, especially night raids that fuel anti-American sentiment and could embolden Taliban insurgents.
Karzai's remarks in an interview Saturday with The Washington Post come as the international military coalition has stepped up pressure on insurgents at the same time that the president has set up a peace council in hopes of reconciling with the top echelon of the Taliban.
"The time has come to reduce military operations," Karzai said in the interview. "The time has come to reduce the presence of, you know, boots in Afghanistan ... to reduce the intrusiveness into the daily Afghan life."
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
I’m getting to the point where I say pull the f**k out and let it be known that the next terrorist attack on American interests from that country will be met with complete nuclear annihilation.
Karzai’a going to make a deal with the Taliban. Why else would he say such things, as we own the night.
Karzai is the Taliban’s front man.
We must be really hurting the scum.
Agree Completely.
We have been had by those tribal bandits-—no matter the front they put on in public.
How many billions has been wasted in that hellhole of a country?
How many lives?
GET OUT NOW. AIM ICBM’s at them & don’t be patient.
Same for Pakistan.
Maybe Karzai should pick up a rifle then while we get the hell out. I’m sick of our brave young people being used as cannon fodder over there due to this idiot and the idiot resident of the White House.
But keep on sending money !
What this means is that our increased operations are proving effective.
This means we should increase pressure.
The Taliban want breathing room to re-arm and regroup.
Therefore, Karzai thinks he can cut a deal with the Taliban. Bad idea Mr. President. You'd better have a good escape plan because the Taliban promises are worthless as Obama’s.
"In the past three months, more than 300 insurgent leaders have been captured or killed, more than 850 lower-level militants have been killed and at least 2,170 foot soldiers have been apprehended."
IMHO I wouldn't be surprised if their reps to Karzai are saying "You have to act now or the deal is off" more out of desperation for a breather, than Karzai actually giving a rat's rear end for more than anyone but himself and his tribe. Notice he says the "intensity" needs to be scaled back.
I'm not in the know, so I don't know. Mostly educated conjecture on my part MGunner. I suspect you've a better read on the big picture. Kind regards brother and thank you for your service.
Karzai is reading between the lines, like half of America, and knows that he has already been cut loose. He’s scrambling to save his skin. I hope he can escape.
How many BILLIONS did we borrow from China to accomplish that?
29 MILLION people live in Afghanistan. How many MILLION do you think want to see foreign invaders leave?
You're awfully proud of that bag of leaves we've raked up, but you don't even see the forest we're standing in.
If you think we're going to keep this up longer than the Taliban, I think you're going to be disappointed. As they like to say, we have the watches, they have the time.
Get everyone out of the poppy fields and intrude on them with a few nukes. Either take the country over and vanquish the opposition totally, or leave them to their 5th century lifestyle.
Karzai is between a rock and a hard place. Exile may be his only real option.
Or perhaps more to the point, Karzai thinks he has a to cut a deal with the Taliban to save his own neck.
There are many dynamics occurring in Afghanistan and one of the key ones is Afghans don't think they can count on us to stick it out. I remember a story about an American officer making the mistake of telling his Afghan counterpart "we'll never leave you". The Afghan officer very politely told him that 20 years ago a Soviet officer had sat in the very same chair, in the very same office and had told him the very same words.
There are many, many things that have to happen to prevail in Afghanistan and none of them will occur if we're not perceived as being committed. War is fundamentally a contest of wills.
Let’s just “accidentally” drop a JDAM on Karzai’s palace
Let’s start by letting him know that we’re no longer in charge of keeping his ass alive, then wave buh-bye. Thanks John W.
I don't know. You tell me? How many?
"29 MILLION people live in Afghanistan. How many MILLION do you think want to see foreign invaders leave?"
I don't know. You tell me, how many? Seriously, answer the question.
"You're awfully proud of that bag of leaves we've raked up, but you don't even see the forest we're standing in."
You mean the AP quote I added. It seemed silly to make a statement without citing a source. Maybe that's how you do business. Nevertheless, I was really worried that someone might not know I was proud of that quote because I forgot to mention it. Thank God you were able to determine how I felt. Thanks so much for making sure to attach my sentiment. Regardless of your mind reading skills though, I am proud of our troops' commitment; the last 3 months and the last 9 years.
Seeing how you know how many Billions have been borrowed from China and how many Millions of Afghans want ISAF (i.e. the U.S.) gone; although it's really not necessary, I'm sure you'll respond regarding your view of the forest. Perhaps our views similar. Then again, maybe not.
I don't think you could have made a more succinct statement. I believe Petreaus understands. I'm concerned the American people don't understand. I'm worried President Obama doesn't care.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.