BY TAYLOR MARSH
Via the Washington
Post:
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Mullen, frustrated by the performance
of NATO allies whose troops make up more than half the total foreign force
in Afghanistan, have already planned for a more overt and forceful U.S. leadership
role in the war, as well as more direct involvement by U.S. forces in fighting
the Taliban in southern and western Afghanistan.Some NATO military officials said enhanced U.S. leadership would be welcome,
as long as it was not seen as a “takeover bid,” said one senior
European officer whose country has troops fighting as part of the NATO coalition
in Afghanistan. While the U.S. military has long criticized some NATO members
for lacking combat zeal and expertise in Afghanistan, many European officers
resent what they see as U.S. arrogance.The NATO officer suggested that Obama, whose election was greeted with wide
approval in Europe, may have more success than Bush in persuading other alliance
members to increase their fighting forces in Afghanistan. “I think you’ll
find the new president would then be able to persuade a number of European
nations who have not liked this administration’s way of doing business to
come in behind them,” he said. [...]
As Zbig said last week on “Morning Joe,” there is no monolithic Taliban.
That’s an
understatement (h/t Juan Cole):
One thing to understand, however, is that “the Taliban” is hardly
a unified force, but rather a very loose coalition of groups and tribal militias,
all based on the Pashtun ethnic group. Sometimes these factions clash violently,
and the dynamics between them change rapidly. Here’s a thumbnail sketch:Quetta Shura and the old Taliban – Reportedly, Mullah Omar now hides in the
Pakistani city of Quetta, where he leads what is now called the “old
Taliban” and their shura – command council. The Quetta Shura is the main
headquarters of the original Taliban, supporting fighters in Afghanistan.Hezb-i-Islami Gulbuddin (HiG) was one of the original mujahadin factions
that fought the Soviets. Led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and sometimes called the
“Hekmatyar group,” HiG has often allied with Taliban forces and
al-Qaida. Hekmatyar has switched alliances so much it’s hard to know whose
side he’s on, and the HiG has waned in recent years.Pakistani Taliban (TTP) – Last December, the Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan was
formed by younger Pashtun men in frontier areas as they organized to fight
the Pakistani army. Now they challenge tribal elders in Waziristan and other
areas for control. Their leader, fiery Baitullah Mehsud, allegedly orchestrated
the 2007 assassination of Benezir Bhutto.Haqqani Network – This is the prototype of what analysts call the “neo-Taliban”,
or “Taliban 2.0.” This is a hybrid criminal/terrorist enterprise,
operating at the nexus between the Omar’s Taliban, the Pakistani Taliban,
Pakistani intelligence and al-Qaida. Well funded with drug money, Jalaluddin
Haqqani and his son, Siraj, are challenging Mullah Omar for leadership of
the Taliban movement. Many recent U.S. strikes into Pakistan have targeted
the Haqqani network. [...]
A couple of things. First, it’s doubtful, as I see it, that the
U.S. under Obama would want to send any message to NATO and other countries
that we want control of the fight inside Afghanistan. Limited troop expansion is one thing, but
working in a regional manner, even expanding the troops and other support inside
Afghanistan through other countries becoming more involved is the best path, which is obvious.
Also, dislodging the Taliban who will work with us from those Taliban,
like the Pakistanis, would allow us to gain further support in the hopes that the Afghans will stabilize themselves
through local networks, beyond warlords, that is, which is the only way out for us. In the end, the Afghans have to stabilize the country themselves, but given the ineptitude of Bush’s policy after our initial strikes, bailing on any nation building whatsoever, security must be strengthened, which will take all nations in the region on deck.
The other issue is also dealing with the C.I.A.’s role in Afghanistan and Pakistan to make sure we’re all working off of the same blue print. Seems to me that’s the cog continually left out. Hey, but maybe I’m just too cynical on this front.
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