Afghanistan Weekly Reader: New Commander Sees U.S. Role Extending Past 2014
In Afghanistan this week, proceedings began in the long-stalled trial of some two dozen people accused of corruption leading to the collapse of the Kabul Bank in 2010. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress confirmed Gen. Joseph Dunford as the new commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Asked about the post-2014 U.S. presence in Afghanistan at his confirmation hearing, Gen. Dunford indicated his belief “that advise-and-assist role is an enduring role and would extend past December 2014,” and that a force of 1,000 would be insufficient for this mission.
From ASG
11/20/12
U.S. Taxpayers Pay the Price for Wasteful War Strategy
Afghanistan Study Group by Mary Kaszynski
With so much attention on the Petraeus scandal and Benghazi investigation, the war in Afghanistan will likely continue to go unnoticed. Overlooking the war in Afghanistan is a mistake, and one that will cost U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars.
ARTICLES
11/15/12
Obama pick for Afghanistan commander describes US role beyond 2014
Associated Press
President Barack Obama’s choice to be the top commander in Afghanistan said Thursday he envisions a U.S. presence in the country after American combat forces leave at the end of 2014, despite a national war-weariness reflected in Congress.
11/17/12
Fraud Trial Begins in Multimillion-Dollar Afghan Bank Scandal
New York Times by Alissa J. Rubin
A major step toward resolving the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars from Kabul Bank began last week with the trial of nearly two dozen people, including the bank’s former chairman and former chief executive, who are accused of being the main architects of a colossal fraud.
11/20/12
France ends combat mission in Afghanistan
AFP by Joris Fioriti
France ended its combat mission in Afghanistan on Tuesday, withdrawing troops from a strategic province northeast of Kabul as part of a quickened departure from the war-torn country.
OPINION
11/16/12
Get out of Afghanistan now
The Augusta Chronicle by Timothy Monroe Bledsoe
I am not angry at the U.S. troops who fought in this war – but then, as now, I am angry and frustrated by the ignorance that pervades Washington, D.C., to continue, yet again, to put U.S. troops in harm’s way for absolutely nothing!
11/18/12
Obama should now adjust foreign policy
Times Leader by Sarah Chayes
Obama should use this one to reverse one of the most dysfunctional elements of U.S. foreign policy over the last decade: an infatuation with military solutions to problems that are fundamentally political.
11/14/12
Focus on the Tragedy of the Afghan War, Not on the Farce
Huffington Post by William Astore
The real story is not the farce but the ongoing military tragedy of Afghanistan. The United States still has 68,000 troops in Afghanistan, with plans for a sizable training force to remain well past the troop withdrawal deadline set for the end of 2014.
