Article

2009-01-30 Afghanistan

'Incompetent' Hamid Karzai's political future in doubt

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Posted by Steve White 2009-01-30 00:00|| || Front Page|| [2 views ] Top

#1 "Wanted. A President for Afghanistan. Candidates with proven ability as miracle workers will be given preference."

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2009-01-30 06:07|| 2009-01-30 06:07|| Front Page Top

#2 The problem with Karzai is that he's a Taliban appeaser. Has he ever said they are outlaws who must be defeated?

Posted by Apostate 2009-01-30 06:17|| 2009-01-30 06:17|| Front Page Top

#3 The problem with Hamid Karzai is that he's a Pashtun first, Afghanistani second. What's really necessary in Afghanistan is a president elected from the entire population, and vice-presidents from each of the three major tribal groups - Pashtuns, Tajiks, and Uzbeks. With Karzai, you've got a president that's looking out for about a third of the country, and telling the rest to go hang. Ninety percent of the problems in Afghanistan are in the Pashtun areas, and much of it leaks over from the Pashtun areas of Pakistan. That's one reason I suggested dismembering Pakistan - divide it along the Indus River, with the western half of the country being absorbed by Afghanistan. That would unite the Pashtuns, add the Balouchis into the mix of tribes, and provide some form of income other than opium for Afghanistan. It would also allow development of several large mineral deposits in both the Tribal areas and Afghanistan without the necessity of transshipping those minerals through Pakistan - also eliminating all the "tarrifs, taxes, graft and corruption" that otherwise exists.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2009-01-30 11:56|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2009-01-30 11:56|| Front Page Top

#4 Sounds like a Chicago quagmire OP. Time to load up and get out.

Posted by Besoeker 2009-01-30 12:05|| 2009-01-30 12:05|| Front Page Top

#5 The Taliban will have a propaganda field day if the U.S. starts imposing presidents on the country.

I wonder if O is looking for an exit excuse.

Posted by DoDo 2009-01-30 13:26|| 2009-01-30 13:26|| Front Page Top

#6 How about he makes Biden, like, Viceroy of Afghanistan?

Posted by tu3031 2009-01-30 13:29|| 2009-01-30 13:29|| Front Page Top

#7 sometimes a guy just outlives his welcome. I dont know as anyone would have done better than Kharzai in 2002, but at this point he is an obstable to progress.

And yeah, given we have tens of thousands of troops on the ground fighting the enemies of the govt in Kabul, its not unreasonable that we have some input.

Sure the taliban will try to use it in their propaganda. Right now they are using the corruption, nepotism, and drug dealing.

I certainly hope that Petraus as well as Gates get input into the US decision. I havent heard that either is keen on keeping Kharzai.

Posted by liberalhawk 2009-01-30 15:26|| 2009-01-30 15:26|| Front Page Top

#8 Karzai is a tool and is in the drug dealing up to his neck. He should be shown the door post-haste and the destruction of the poppy fields should begin in earnest. Until and unless we do this, there won't be any chance for success. Even then, it is a tenuous chance at best.

Posted by remoteman 2009-01-30 17:36|| 2009-01-30 17:36|| Front Page Top

#9 Since Alexander the great and Mo' Hisself are both ancient history, there's nobody available who can effecticely rule Afghanistan.

A radical departure from the current strategy is going to have to happen. A-stan needs an economy.

On the off chance that the west is willing to spend a couple generations of hard work and treasure there to develop an eceonomy, it could be a successful nation.

Posted by Mike N. 2009-01-30 22:26|| 2009-01-30 22:26|| Front Page Top

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