Three Things We Need From Obama on Afghanistan
It seems to be a given that President Obama will send about 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. So to me the three big questions are: What are we going to do about the corruption and abuses of the Afghan government, arguably a more troublesome foe than the Taliban? How does what we are doing relate ...
It seems to be a given that President Obama will send about 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. So to me the three big questions are:
- What are we going to do about the corruption and abuses of the Afghan government, arguably a more troublesome foe than the Taliban?
- How does what we are doing relate to the security problems in Pakistan, to me a far bigger worry than anything happening in Afghanistan?
- Perhaps most importantly, is his heart in it, and can he bring along a good portion of the American people, especially part of his base? Or is he gonna say we’re giving it 12 months and then we’re outta here?
Tip from a friend: If he uses the phrase “exit strategy,” or dwells on the subject, then you’ll know you’re probably looking at a one-term president. In other words, file under “Jimmy Carter,” not “Abe Lincoln.”
Interesting note from a reader: “The guy I would like to hear from on this is Petraeus. I would love to hear him look Congress and the American people in the eye and say, ‘I think this can work.’ I haven’t heard much from him lately.” Where have you gone, Dave Petraeus? A nation turns it worried eyes to you.
I discussed this on NPR on Saturday, but you don’t need to listen because you just read what I had to say.
Flickr/napalmnews
Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1
More from Foreign Policy

Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.

Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.

The West’s False Choice in Ukraine
The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.

The Masterminds
Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.