Leaking to Avert Disaster

New York Observer ^ | Jujly 27, 2010 | Joe Conason

[libstripper]

The outpouring of tens of thousands of classified military documents by WikiLeaks is not precisely comparable to the publication of the Pentagon Papers-but in at least one crucial respect, it may be more valuable. While the Pentagon Papers revealed the duplicity of American policy makers in the senseless Vietnam War, their release came too late to save many lives or change the course of that conflict. The WikiLeaks disclosures may have arrived in time to influence policy and prevent disaster.

* * *

The ultimate issue raised by the relationship between Islamabad and the insurgency, as well as the parallel relationship between the insurgency and the Kabul government, is a simple question. If the Pakistanis can advance their interests by maintaining communications with the Taliban, and if the Afghans believe that they can do likewise, then why is the United States alone unable to open such talks? A central principle of counterinsurgency warfare is that most conflicts are settled by negotiation and reconciliation rather than victory-and the WikiLeaks papers suggest that this complex and vexing war must be ended that way, too.

[libstripper]

Conason is one of the world's most loathsome libs and this is why I posted the article, including its last paragraph. From that it's clear to see where the libs want to go in Afganistan--a total bug out, horrific consequences be damned.

[Wuli]

“A central principle of counterinsurgency warfare is that most conflicts are settled by negotiation and reconciliation rather than victory”

The above statement demonstrates how half-truths become, all at once, big myths and big political lies.

So, what is it that brings the insurgents to seek negotiation and reconciliation? Do they seek “negotiation and reconciliation” if it looks like they are winning or even if it looks like the counter-insurgency effort is weak? No!!!

It can happen only when the insurgents realize that the other side is not going to quit the counter-insurgency effort. The author is wrong to believe in the myth that ending the counter-insurgency effort achieves anything but the victory of the insurgents. It is keeping the counter-insurgency effort going - wearing the other side down - that brings victory AND negotiation and reconciliation.

[libstripper]

Conason is a loathsome fool. This shows how much and the route the libs will now take to destroy the war effort.