Europe Backing Out of Afghanistan
The Times they are a-changing. The headline in today's New York Times announced "Europeans Seek to Shift Security Role to Afghan Government." The article by Judy Dempsey, head of the Berlin bureau of the Times affiliate, the International Herald Tribune states: " BERLIN. The leaders of France, Germany and Britain called Sunday night for an international conference to work out a plan to shift responsibility for security in Afghanistan to the Afghan government."
Those of you who remember "Vietnamization" of the war in Vietnam know what that means: time to bug out. The Afghan government, roiled by a disputed election this past week, accused of being ineffective and corrupt with little ability to project power beyond the capital, is in no position to assume "responsibility for security in Afghanistan." Any such shift under the aegis of an international conference would simply represent a transparent fig leaf to cover a strategic withdrawal by European governments beset by rising discontent at home over rising casualties in the futile attempt at nation building.
Paradoxically, the Financial Times of London reported the same calls for an international conference without a hint of its true purpose. According to the Financial Times, the purpose of the conference is to "co-ordinate support and resources for the U.S.-led mission there." The article continues with more misleading journalistic pablum: "The conference is designed to bring together a newly elected Afghan government with Nato, the United Nations and 'other key allies' to agree a detailed strategy (sic) for 2010, a UK government insider said last night. 'The aim is about ensuring strong international backing [for the war] with a key focus on resources.'"
Who are they kidding? Only an oleagenous Brit could keep a straight face while converting "backing out" into "strong backing for the war." No question about who will be left holding the bag when Britain, Germany and France pull their disappearing act.
No word yet from the White House in response to the Europeans' call for a conference. Stay tuned