Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Obama Tells Karzai He Is Moving Ahead Without Him
This article discusses a conversation Mr. Obama had with President Karzai regarding the Bilateral Security Agreement. Mr. Obama told him that the longer he sits on the agreement the less troops would most likely be left behind. On the other hand President Karzai has a fair point that the next Afghan leader should sign it since they would be the ones dealing with the aftermath. One problem that I see with this is that, as was mentioned in the article, their may be a period of uncertainty as to who the political leader will be therefore a gap in the negotiations. The other problem I see is that we can not have a full pullout of Afghanistan because if we do that we will have a terrorist safe haven once again, therefore the war was for nothing. That second problem is the real issue with Obama's threats regarding this negotiation, it's empty or he is serious and has not thought strategically about the future.
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I agree with the idea that "limited post-2014 mission focused on training, advising, and assisting Afghan forces and going after the remnants of core Al Qaeda" would be beneficial. A complete move out by the US would likely result in terrorist forces quickly taking back power and this whole problem straying over again. While I definitely think that the US needs to be a limited presence, it is most important that the Afghan forces are trained to fight back themselves if and when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteI believe that we need to allow Afghanistan to take responsibility for its own security. I also believe that we cannot squander all of the life and money invested in Afghanistan. Thus, I believe that we need to begin phasing out American troops in order to prevent dependence (as if it hasn’t already happened). I personally cannot blame Karzai for wanting to wait until the elections because of the long-reaching impact of the decision (that will open a can of worms his successor must deal with). It may also be, however, just another one of Karzai’s silly games—in that case, Karzai is incredibly foolish considering the fact that he is, at present dependent on the United States for aid in order to protect the country from the Taliban.
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with Obama's decision to bypass the current President of Afghanistan and act on this "agreement". After immense turmoil and fighting in Afghanistan, it seems unwise to try and finish up and get troops out in a hurried and shoddy manner. I think it's a wise decision on the part of the Afghan president to push back the signing of this agreement until the next President is in office. Though Obama is eager to get the troops out, the upcoming election in Afghanistan will probably be a time were US troops are critically needed to ensure that no terrorist group sees the gap as an opportunity to seize control over the government. Overall, I think it's unwise to phase-out troops before the country is ready to stand on it's own two feet. For example, look at it in a doctor's perspective. You wouldn't start stitching a patient up if you haven't finished a surgery properly. It would be irresponsible and would most likely have bad effects in the patient.
ReplyDeleteTiming is everything and I think Karzai is conveniently using April's elections as a scapegoat so he doesn't have to make a decision. These negotiations have carried on for a very long time and I think it's unlikely that negotiations with the next president will go more smoothly. Withdrawing troops is important but the process shouldn't be rushed and I agree with Husain Haqqani when he says “President Obama needs to decide what’s in America’s interest, and whether America can continue to fight global terrorism without an effective military presence in the Central and South Asian theater of war.”
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily Evenden. I have always been against the idea of having our troops overseas for this long, but we cannot just pullout like that. If Obama pulls our troops out too fast then this whole war would just mean nothing. I think it is a good idea for Karzai to wait until the elections for the next president to make a decision. Elections are in April, only a month away. Plus it is important that the next president supports Obamas plans.
ReplyDeleteI agree with justin that the president isn't thinking this all the way through. If we remove all troops, the terrorists will be free to grow in strength unchecked. So that leads me to believe the president's words are hollow and have no meaning. He is trying to bluff Karzai into signing the B.S.A.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama is definitely jumping the gun here. I feel that the President wants to accomplish something after all, but this isn't the way to go about it. Karzai is thinking ahead and you all are right; removing our troops would provide an opportunity for terrorists. Emily, I like your example about the doctor and patient. That's an interesting way of seeing things.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Andrew on this one: I'm sick and tired of US involvement in the Middle East. Let them fend for themselves. We need immediate withdrawal because American lives should not be lost trying to setup a foreign government.
ReplyDeleteThis is a difficult side to choose for me because i hate the idea of American lives being lost over a middle-eastern government, but like the article says, if we take all of the troops out then it is a great place for terroristic groups like Al Qaeda and the Taliban. So i am divided on this issue
ReplyDeleteI understand why President Obama wants to gets things done with Karzai. Unlike in the United States, Afghanistan seems to have a less than smooth transition when changing power. If we really want to pulled out most of our troops by the end of the year, it would be best to make a deal now.
ReplyDeleteI think it's unreasonable for Karzai to refuse to sign the security agreement when in all likelihood his successor will sign it anyway, and it's unwise to move into a new president's term with uncertainty about America's relationship with Afghanistan. However, Obama's willingness to move with Karzai bothers me a little, as I think it would be good to avoid bitterness in order to encourage a healthy relationship with whoever the new president will be.
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