The president keeps saying he will not be rushed. Maybe in a few weeks — hmm, after two key gubernatorial elections — he will disclose what his Afghanistan war strategy is. But really, what is taking so long?
Anthony Zinni, the retired four-star Marine Corps general who backed the surge in Iraq and has been CENTCOM commander (and was invited and then disinvited to join the Obama team), supports Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s plan and thinks we need a lot more troops in Afghanistan. And he doesn’t get what all the White House ”dillydallying” (a much more vivid term than “dithering,” no?) is about:
Zinni said his own son was among the troops waiting to be deployed, adding: “I think that we owe them a decision. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why we’re still waiting for one.” … Zinni had some specific advice President Barack Obama: Americans need to hear a better explanation of why the U.S. is in Afghanistan, on the doorstep of nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan and India neighbors. “I think the speech that has been missing … is this talk not only to the American public but to the world about what the threats are, what the challenges are and what the concerns should be out there,” he said.
Indeed, it isn’t simply a lack of a decision but a lack of leadership and — shocking for a president who adores speechifying — any effort to halt the erosion of public support for the war. But alas, that might rub his liberal base the wrong way. He’d have to bring up all that talk about the “good war” and make the case for assertion of American power to defeat not just al-Qaeda but also, as he explained in the spring, the Taliban, who threaten to topple both Afghanistan and nuclear-armed Pakistan. Things might, you know, get uncomfortable for the netroots — or for Obama.
So he has dawdled and will, it appears, trim and fiddle with McChrystal’s recommendation. And for what, exactly? Like Zinni, I’m still stumped.
Well, freezing settlement activity would be a step toward showing that the Israeli government actually governs part of the territory.
“Somehow, I don’t think freezing all settlement activity is going to solve this problem, nor will any grand new plan”
you don’t GET to think anymore. hahaha just obey
If Palestinians want a two state solution, why not declare independence?
Michael Ignatieff may be the next leader of Canada. he has avery checkered history regarding his views of Israel-accusing it of war crimes in the past (Lebanon). He is also very close friends with Samantha Power-who he worked with at Harvard. Power is quite close to Barack Obama and was his closest foregn policy adviser during the campaign. She also is on the National Security Council now. She shares Ignatieff’s opinions regarding Israel.
Now that that vent is out of the way, Toameh is one of the better writers covering the Palestinian-Israel conflict. He is more than just a superb writer; he is a brave man. He tells the truth-in that part of the world, that means one has a target on one’s back. He should wear it as a badge of honor.
(PS: I know the PLO declared independence back in the ’80s before they controlled territory. I want to see the PA declare their independence and take full responsibility for what occurs in their country.)
fuster,
settlements it is where jewish people reside, and it is jewish land, look at the name – Judiya, Smariya (not arabia). Plus there are no jews left in arab countries, so there should be no arabs in Israel (West Bank included). That would be fair. And anybody who is against jewish settlements it is just another jew hater.
A very interesting article; however, it goes against what so many want to believe to be true. Just give the Palestinians their own home land and everything will magically work out, contrary to all that has occurred so far.
I find what Toameh said chilling, “…the Palestinians have opted to make for themselves a new Afghanistan…” I don’t think the Palestinians are alone in making this happen.
6- O X, holding the number of settlements constant while trying to arrange peace talks does not mean that one is showing hatred of Jews.
I currently reside in Brooklyn, and it is not the territory of the Dutch people.
To Man From Tulsa:
I agree with what you say, but if Palestinian Arabs want a state, why UN does not give them land in Africa someplace, or Siberia has planty of land?
10- That’s planty you talk, OX. Even on contentions people dumb not so much this like you say.
fuster, what I say makes sence, a Palistinian State 1000 miles away from jews would make peace.
http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/05/gaza-is-alive.html
GAZA IS ALIVE
filifuster, you talka too much…
13- You wanna explain to the OX?
fuster,
sure they are alive, on somebody elses money. Cut the money supply from the outside, and it will be just like the most of Arabia – desert. And the poor arabs will look for another place to smooch.
#6: “And anybody who is against jewish settlements it is just another jew hater.”
As the anti-Zionists never tire of saying: Any criticism of Israel gets you labeled an anti-Semite. Statements like OX’s, besides indicting a very large segment of Israeli Jews, does no service at all to the Zionist cause.
#9: “…if Palestinian Arabs want a state, why UN does not give them land in Africa…?”
Funny. Actually, the British offered Herzl land in Uganda to settle the Jews — and he considered it seriously.
to biblio44
Post-zionists are not zionists.
Yes, land in Uganda – that is where I got the idea, it is not my, but it would work today.
Lets face it there about 100 Million Arabs live happily in Africa, what is another couple of mills?
So maybe Hamas needs to become more like Hizballah in Lebanon? According to the Western media, at least, its armed ward-heelers exercise actual governnment functions in the areas of Lebanon they “rule.”
If Hizballah can pull off an official, no-kidding government takeover in Lebanon, it won’t be long before one of Fatah or Hamas gets the picture, I think. Afghanistan may be the wrong model — perhaps more congenial to the less-centrally-organized Arab opposition to Israel, but less effective than the state-based Iranian-backed opposition, against Israel as a nation-state.
Fortunately, Israeli thinkers are already well aware of the development of both lines of threat.
Meanwhile, let’s be sure, here in the contentions comments, to make the maximum fun of posters here for whom English is not a first language.
I think, after comment 9 , that OX is pulling leg.
Thank you, Rich Richman, for your article. It’s very important to expose a wider audience to the knowledgeable, candid and excellent writing of Kaled Abu Tomeah. Which will advance peace more, I wonder: destroying a few mobile homes atop uninhabited hills, or confronting Iran?
Freezing “Palestinian” settlement activity would alleviate the problem. Evicting them from a country they’re trying to destroy would be an effective grand plan.
Everybody knows the answer, but few are willing to voice it. Only the eviction of the terorists can stop them from implementing their final solution.
Y Gob! The utter nonsense and stupid adolescent fantasy of it. Wave your tiny wand and they’ll just disappear.
Fuster, if someone is not a native speaker of English, why must you make an obnoxious comment like that? And, by the way, I agree with you that this fellow’s view on Palestinians is both absurd and appalling- even though I’m with Toameh on the danger of creating a Palestinian state at this moment. Still, your mockery is uncalled for.
Stuart, filifuster’s whole purpose at Contentions is to mock the writers and posters. You’re asking fuster to stop being fuster.
23- As I said previously, I didn’t think I was making fun of someone struggling to voice thoughts in an unfamiliar language. I never have, and hopefully never will.
I was exchanging remarks with OX on a post prior to this one before this post’s comment 9 convinced me that OX was simply a prankster imitating a non-native speaker.
24- I’ll argue, I’ll mock illogical or dishonest arguments, I’ll direct personal remarks at people who make personal remarks.
But I’m mainly interested in a little learning and, of course, helping to embody Truth, Justice and the American Way in the effort to save you from Error.
Fusterbator,
you have nothing worthwhile to add to any adult discussion outside the realms of tea bagging, felching, reach arounds or other Obamanations. You are an unmitigated idiot and an obvious deviant.
Obie, how you been? Where’ve you been? You been hanging out in those adult discussion sites?