Bush, Obama and McCain have in the last few days all talked about Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In my view all three shirk the need for 1) a new political settlement in Afghanistan, including through negotiations with “pragmatic” Taliban elements, 2) a new trans-Atlantic push on Pakistan and the region (and not only a CT-focused approach), and 3) the need to invest in the Afghan National Police.
Here is what they have said:
President Bush in Press Conference on Energy and the Economy
–We’ll analyze the situation on the ground to make a determination on surging troops. In Bucharest I said we’d add more troops. But, we have to make sure the counter-insurgency strategy works.
–“I would hope that whoever follows me understands that we’re at war.” “These two theaters are the big challenge of the time and the war itself is the challenge.”
–On Karzai’s comments about ISI complicity in Indian Embassy bombing: “we’ll investigate his charge and work with his service to get to the bottom of his allegation.”
–No question that some extremists are coming out of parts of Pakistan into Afghanistan. Al Qaeda is there, but we’ve hit them hard and will continue to keep the pressure on, with Pakistan.
–“I certainly hope that the government [of Pakistan] understands the dangers of extremists moving in their country. I think they do. As a matter of fact, we’ll have an opportunity to explore that further on Monday with the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Pakistan is an ally, Pakistan is a friend.”
–In Pakistan, we will continue to work with the government to deal with extremists, and have an effective counter-insurgecy strategy that uses aid to foster economic development. We can do this better all three (U.S., Afghanistan, Pakistan) working together.
Senator Obama at the Woodrow Wilson International Center
–“Taking the fight to Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan” is #2 in his list of 5 top goals (coming after “Ending the War in Iraq Responsibly”).
–Co-sponsoring bill with Biden and Lugar to triple non-military aid to Pakistan for a decade while providing military assistance.
–Send at least two additional combat brigades to Afghanistan, and to seek greater contributions, with fewer restrictions, from NATO allies.
–Focus on training Afghan security forces, supporting Afghan judiciary, with more resources and incentives from American officers.
–Help Afghans grow their economy. Additional $1B in non-military assistance each year for Afghanistan, including for alternative livelihoods, with meaningful safeguards to prevent corruption and to make investments in all provinces.
–Crack down on heroin trafficking in Afghanistan.
–If terrorists train and insurgents strike from Pakistan, then we need a stronger relationship between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and NATO to secure the border, take out terrorist camps, and crack down on cross-border insurgents.
–“We need more troops, more helicopters, more satellites, more Predator drones.”
–U.S. forces should be ready to cross into Pakistan without permission “to take out high-level terrorist targets like bin Laden if we have them in our sights.”
–“Make no mistake, we can’t succeed in Afghanistan or secure our homeland unless we change our Pakistan policy.”
Senator McCain in a Town Hall in Albuquerque
–“I know how to win wars. I know how to win wars…and if I’m elected President, I will turn around the war in Afghanistan, just as we have turned around the war in Iraq, with a comprehensive strategy for victory. I know how to do that.”
–Afghanistan Czar is needed, a highly-respected national security leader based at the White House, reporting directly to the President. (“Last year, the Bush administration appointed a war czar, responsible for both Iraq and Afghanistan. This was a step in the right direction. But Afghanistan is sufficiently important that a separate Afghanistan Czar is needed. I will appoint a highly-respected national security leader, based in the White House and reporting directly to the President, whose sole mission will be to ensure we bring the war in Afghanistan to a successful end.”)
–Appointment of a Special Envoy to address disputes between Afghanistan and its neighbors.
–Double the size of the Afghan National Army to 160,000. World should share the cost.
–Focus on Pakistan as part of our regional strategy, strengthen local tribes to fight foreign terrorists, convince the Pakistanis this is their war as much as ours, and support the government to defeat radicalism.
–Three additional brigades in Afghanistan, which commanders on the ground say they need.
–Sending more forces is not enough. We need a nationwide civil-military campaign like the one that General Petraeus brought to Iraq that provides security for the population.
–United States needs to reengage deeper in southern Afghanistan, the Taliban heartland.
–We have violated our cardinal rule of military operations: unity of command. The top commander in Afghanistan needs to be the commander of all coalition forces (i.e. double hat COMISAF).
–Increase non-military assistance to Afghan government to strengthen institutions, rule of law, and the economy, and provide alternatives to drug trade. Tackle trafficking and establish special Courts for traffickers.
–Should agree on specific governance and development benchmarks with the Afghan Government.
