Afghanistan—Best foot forward
Lauren Burdette
White House Review Suggests Karzai share power with second executive
This past weekend, the U.S. announced a broad change in its policy on the war in Afghanistan (remember that war?). The new plan is the result of the review of Afghanistan and Pakistan that President Obama ordered upon arriving in the White House, which will be detailed at a conference on March 31st. There are several new policies proposed by the review, but the one that will receive the most media attention (if the economy lets Afghanistan get a word in edgewise) is the decreasing power of Hamid Karzai, the president of Afghanistan.
The U.S. and Europe agreed (for once) that a second chief executive with significant powers is needed in Kabul to ensure something productive occurred with the huge monetary investments made by the U.S. and NATO countries. The Guardian article described the new executive figure as “prime ministerial” and it is clear that the primary reason for this shift in policy is Karzai’s deep corruption. Rod Blagojevich looks like a five-and-dime thief compared to Karzai, who has held a leadership role in Afghanistan since 2001. Karzai’s promises to investigate ministerial corruption have not progressed at all, although perhaps that’s because government lawyers can’t afford the bribes Afghan judges are charging. Skyrocketing opium production also contributes to the cycle of corruption and serves as a money tree for the Taliban.
Putting a new chief executive alongside Karzai is making the best of an absolutely awful situation—there is no good or easy way to “fix” Afghanistan. Karzai has already announced he will “resist the dilution of his power,” and some diplomats worry that this will be seen as a vestige of imperialism.
While it’s certainly not a perfect plan, a strong leader who will bring stability to Afghanistan is the best chance we have at preventing the country from devolving into anarchy. The biggest problem is finding someone competent, honest and reform-minded to fill the leadership gap. Let’s not forget who rose to power the last time the U.S. screwed up in Afghanistan —Osama bin Laden.
Recent Comments