[R-G] Al Jaz: Obama's Afghanistan mission

[Anthony Fenton]

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PupXTUn9Mo&feature=related

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dr4to5T04w&feature=related

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/empire/2009/04/2009430131311544246.html

Obama's Afghanistan mission

In order to tackle the foreign policy challenges he inherited from  
George Bush US president Barack Obama has announced a new strategy.

He intends to re-deploy 17,000 troops from Iraq to Afghanistan, in an  
attempt to replicate the success of the surge in troop numbers in Iraq.

The stated goal is to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda in  
Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The US hopes to encourage Afghans to take a more active role in the  
military and policing of the country, whilst simultaneously sending  
more civilian aid and "soft power", similar policies to those used in  
Iraq.

Empire examines the motives behind this policy and its chances of  
success. The task ahead is not easy.

Warlords and Taliban leaders control most of the country outside of  
Kabul and the whole mission will cost tens of billions of dollars that  
the US can no longer afford.

In the meantime, the battle for Afghan hearts and minds is being lost,  
every time a civilian dies in a US strike.

This problem is also spilling over into America’s most unstable ally,  
Pakistan. With non-existent borders, government no-go areas, and a  
large percentage of the population that disapproves of US policy.

Marwan Bishara and guests ask if the United States has learnt lessons  
from its operations in Iraq.