From The Associated Press: The Text Of Obama’s Afghanistan Speech, December 1st, 2009

Full speech here.

Worth a careful read.  Here’s what’s likely the main reason Obama’s sending more troops:

“I make this decision because I am convinced that our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is the epicenter of the violent extremism practiced by al-Qaida. It is from here that we were attacked on 9/11, and it is from here that new attacks are being plotted as I speak.”

And:

“We must deny al-Qaida a safe-haven. We must reverse the Taliban’s momentum and deny it the ability to overthrow the government. And we must strengthen the capacity of Afghanistan’s security forces and government, so that they can take lead responsibility for Afghanistan’s future.”

He outlines why, and also discusses Pakistan and the bigger picture, including false analogies with Vietnam (though there are still lessons to learn).  It strikes me as a good speech.   Obama is able to focus on the need to prevent extreme and violent followers of Al-Qaeda from plotting and planning attacks on Western targets from within Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan.

However, we are still stuck with what is likely endemic corruption, a land of tribes united by Islam (and an extreme version of Islam that’s gained power in the wake of Russian and foreign occupation) extreme poverty and a war-torn infrastructure.   We are in a hostile region with few good options and it’s reasonable to worry about getting in deeper.

Hopefully, we can stay aware of what’s at stake and what can go wrong going forward.  There doesn’t appear to be a clear end in sight.

Any thoughts and comments are welcome.

Related On This Site:  From Bloomberg: More Troops To Afghanistan? A Memo From Henry Kissinger To Gerald Ford?…From The NY Times Video: ‘A Schoolgirl’s Odyssey’…From The WSJ: Graham, Lieberman and McCain “Only Decisive Force Can Prevail In Afghanistan…From Commonweal: Andrew Bacevich “The War We Can’t Win: Afghanistan And The Limits Of American Power”

See Also:  Philip Bobbitt Discusses His Book ‘Terror And Consent’ On Bloggingheads

From Newsweek: ‘Singh’s War, No Mercy For The Maoists’

Full article here.

So, how do you prevent growing tribal grievances and anger by the people left out of India’s recent economic growth from becoming support for the violent and revolutionary hard left..?

“This time, India has to get the mix right. For the tribal people, there will soon be opportunities; for the Maoists, there will be no mercy.”

See Also On This Site:  Martha Nussbaum In Dissent–Violence On The Left: Nandigram And The Communists Of West Bengal

So, where did Marx get his ideas, anyways?  Peter Singer discusses Hegel and Marx

A Few Thoughts On Isaiah Berlin’s “Two Concepts Of Liberty”

From Althouse: ‘The Atrocity That Is Empire State Plaza’

Full post here. (with photos)

Of course, it may not be an atrocity in your opinion (and could be quite nice), but it is presented as a top down, anaesthetic, or compromised aesthetic, piece of architecture placed there by the government in the name of the people…regardless of what came before.

It reminded me of Brasilia:  Brasilia: A Planned City

Also On This Site:  Roger Scruton In The City Journal: Cities For Living–Is Modernism Dead?

Le Corbusier’s work here, examples of Modern Architecture here.

Nicolas Lemann At The Chronicle Of Higher Ed: ‘Journalism Schools Can Push Coverage Beyond Breaking News’

Full article here.

As you may have noticed, the economic models that sustained traditional media are in serious trouble.  The technology is now available to publish and communicate ideas much more cheaply.

Nicolas Lemann argues that the vital work of keeping citizens informed about how and what their government does and how their society actually functions (how would you achieve this second goal, anyways…through compulsory education?) is always necessary, and can be explored further by journalism schools like his at Columbia.

“Journalism schools not only can replace the original reporting capability that news organizations have lost, but also can raise the level of sophistication in the practice of journalism. “

A new curriculum can be forged out of the current circumstances that can be a win-win for journalism students and the communities they live within:

“Like teaching hospitals, journalism schools can provide essential services to their communities while they are educating their students.”

That could work…at least he’s thinking on his feet.

Also On This Site: Bill Virgin says newspapers built up their value, and slowly let it die: From The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Via Sound Politics: Why Did The PI Die?..Who Reads The Newspapers?…

Two previous two posts which might have some links of interest:  From The New Yorker: Malcolm Gladwell’s “Priced To Sell”…From The Becker-Posner Blog: The Future Of Newspapers.

Leslie Gelb At The Daily Beast: ‘The Secret Details Of Obama’s Afghan Plan’

Full post here.

On the ’secret details’ of what will likely be the new Obama plan:

“His goal up to now has been to “defeat” al Qaeda. The new mission: to “dismantle and degrade” the terrorists.”

So he’s sending 30,000 to 36,000 new troops over the next year, with maybe up to 10,000 after that…which is close to what McChrystal wanted…

“The strategy to govern the employment of these forces, Mr. Obama is expected to say, will be much like the counterinsurgency approach he originally approved back in March—the approach McChrystal reaffirmed in his recent “secret” leaked report. That means clearing areas and holding them with military force, followed by civilian and economic programs.”

Half-hearted compromise…a pragmatic, well-considered strategic re-allignment?  And what about Pakistan?:

“It’s unclear at the moment just how tough Obama will be with Pakistan. In effect, Islamabad has provided a safe haven for Afghan Taliban for more than a decade as a hedge against Indian encroachments into Afghanistan.”

We do know that the Karzai government is badly corrupt.  We know it’s likely that any Afghan government would likely have to overcome many, many hurdles (including the long process of education and peace enough for economic development, a war-torn infrastructure) to overcome that corruption.  At the end of the day what the Afghans chose (despite all the mitigating factors, which are many, and whose lives our choices affect) will be up to them.

It’s reasonable to have concerns about sending more troops, and wonder how to use force judiciously.

We also know that there are some followers of Islam who are willing to plan, plot and carry out violent, terror attacks in the name of their cause and their religion.  They are part of a loosely affiliated global network, which can take the discontent of young Muslims in Muslim countries and some in the West ( and there are many peace loving Muslims who find themselves with nothing but difficult choices…and do not follow this path) and lash out against real and perceived injustices.

Feel free to comment and highlight my ignorance.

Related On This Site:  From Bloomberg: More Troops To Afghanistan? A Memo From Henry Kissinger To Gerald Ford?…From The NY Times Video: ‘A Schoolgirl’s Odyssey’…From The WSJ: Graham, Lieberman and McCain “Only Decisive Force Can Prevail In Afghanistan…From Commonweal: Andrew Bacevich “The War We Can’t Win: Afghanistan And The Limits Of American Power”

See Also:  Philip Bobbitt Discusses His Book ‘Terror And Consent’ On Bloggingheads

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Have A Happy Thanksgiving.

From The WSj: ‘Lieberman Digs In On Public Option’

Full post here.

Lieberman is likely not, on principle, entirely against the public option.  Rather:

“Once the government creates an insurance company or plan, the government or the taxpayers are liable for any deficit that government plan runs, really without limit,” he says. “With our debt heading over $21 trillion within the next 10 years…we’ve got to start saying no to some things like this.”

Aside from principle, it’s not entirely clear who will pay for all of this.

Also On This Site:  From Clive Crook: Is Health Care Reform On Track?…From The New Yorker: Atul Gawande On Health Care-”The Cost Conundrum”

Also: From KeithHenessey.Com: ‘The House-Passed Bill’s Effects On Health Insurance Coverage’

From Ambinder At The Atlantic: ‘The New U.S. Ally In Afghanistan’

Full post here.

Not all Afghans are Pashtun, and most Taliban are Pashtuns, so potentially you could fight fire with fire:

“The question is whether this strategy will help to build Afghan security and political relief for Obama or risk Afghanistan’s fourth decade of endless war.”

Pit tribal loyalties above national unity?…and Islam…which runs much deeper?  My guess is some people close to Obama are looking for a face-saving exit, and this could be that exit.

Or not…Obama might be sending 34,000 more troops as the Telegraph reports here.

See Also:  Philip Bobbitt Discusses His Book ‘Terror And Consent’ On Bloggingheads

From The NY Times Via The A & L Daily: ‘Who Fears a Free Mikhail Khodorkovsky?’

Full article here.

So how is the old state apparatus faring in Russia during the Putin clampdown, and who are its challengers..?:

“His motives may have been mercenary, but Khodorkovsky in his cell has come to embody the fiat of the state, its arbitrary and boundless power”

A really good job by the Times.

Towards A Theme On This Site?:  Communism In America:  The Politics Of Noam Chomsky-The Dangers Of Kantian Transcendental Idealism?…From CATO: ‘New York Times “Celebrates” The Fall Of The Berlin Wall’

In India: Martha Nussbaum In Dissent–Violence On The Left: Nandigram And The Communists Of West Bengal and India and America, surely Amartya Sen is deeper than that?:  From Outlook India Via A & L Daily: An Interview With Amartya Sen

So, where did Marx get his ideas, anyways?  Peter Singer discusses Hegel and Marx

A Few Thoughts On Isaiah Berlin’s “Two Concepts Of Liberty”

Obama’s Decision On Missile Defense And A Quote From Robert Kagan’s: ‘The Return Of History And The End Of Dreams’

From KeithHenessey.Com: ‘The House-Passed Bill’s Effects On Health Insurance Coverage’

Full post here.

Surely you trust our government to control health-care costs by potentially extending coverage to 30 million new people…

Thanks to a friend for the link.

We’ll have to see how this plays out.

Another link sent to me:  Why am I complaining?  The health care bill meets many health care economist projections…this isn’t a intellectually confused left come into power and vastly expanding the role of government…it’s in the best centrist tradition to rein in our jerry-rigged system and control costs…:  Ron Brownstein at the Atlantic:  A Milestone In The Health-Care Journey.

Sure, if you say so…

Also On This Site:  From Clive Crook: Is Health Care Reform On Track?…From The New Yorker: Atul Gawande On Health Care-”The Cost Conundrum”