Maybe a Strategy Headed In the Right Direction

TW: Afghanistan and Pakistan are tough nuts, but perhaps Obama is moving towards a viable strategy. One, he is clearly integrating the two areas into the single overall challenge they represent given the almost seamless movement of Taliban, Al-Qaeda and other challengers across those artificial borders. Two, while he is sending a modest additional group of troops, the focus on training and the Afghan army is good. Most counter-insurgency experts would agree indigenous forces must be the ones to put down the insurgency rather than foreigners. The fewer western troops there the better. Three, de-emphasizing democracy in an area where democracy is the least of their worries is a good thing.

As for Pakistan I am skeptical that more $ is the answer. Will the Pakistanis change their core policies in return for a few billion $, I doubt it but for now I know of no better alternatives.

I disagree with the meme that Obama is "doubling-down". This is a measured response. Doubling-down to me would mean many tens of thousands of additional troops and more neo-con rhetoric about spreading democracy etc. As long as Obama focuses on building up indigenous Afghan forces, I will remain comfortable that he is taking the prudent path.

From NBC:
"...President Obama will announce that he’s sending an additional 4,000 military trainers and advisers to Afghanistan, on top of the 17,000 he’s already deployed there...the president's new strategy will focus on accelerating the training and doubling the size of Afghan security forces to take over the fighting. But this isn’t just about Afghanistan; today’s policies will also be about neighboring Pakistan...“Obama also would support legislation to triple economic aid to Pakistan to about $1.5 billion a year in exchange for that country cracking down on Taliban and terrorists hiding out along border… The goal is to weaken and ultimately destroy al-Qaeda’s havens and sanctuaries in Pakistan and prevent the terrorist group from returning across the border to Afghanistan, the officials said.” Some might see today’s announcement as a ramping of activity in Afghanistan, but is sending 4,000 trainers/advisers an acknowledgement of the opposite? Everything about this announcement today, in fact, has the feel of trying to minimize the military aspect of the conflict. To put it another way, this is a dramatic shift away from the philosophy some in the Bush administration pushed -- which was democracy for Afghanistan."