KARZAI, SIEMPRE SINUOSO

kgrounder examines Afghanistan's National Security Forces.

Top of the Agenda: Karzai Criticizes U.S. Withdrawal Plans

Afghan President Hamid Karzai criticized U.S. plans (BBC) to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in July 2011, saying the withdrawal gave the Taliban "a moral boost." PUEDE SER. ¿PERO ACASO NO HA SUGERIDO KARZAI QUE ESAS TROPAS PODRÍAN SER VISTAS COMO FUERZAS DE OCUPACIÓN? Karzai's comments came during a meeting in Kabul with visiting U.S. members of Congress. During the meeting, Karzai was questioned about efforts to tackle government corruption, NO HARÁ NADA CONTRA ELLA: ES SU MAYOR FUERZA, YA LE DIO LA NUEVA PRESIDENCIA after security advisor Mohammad Zia Salehi was arrested last month by a U.S.-backed anti-corruption task force for bribery. The corruption issue is complicated by reports that the CIA is making secret payments (WashPost) to members of Karzai's administration to help maintain allies within the presidential palace. Karzai supporters say the United States is exploiting the issue to humiliate the president rather than address priorities. The issue could erode U.S. support for the war and has already led to the withholding of billions of dollars in aid by a congressional panel.

The Obama administration has emphasized the withdrawal deadline (Telegraph) is a starting point MÁS BIEN UN PUNTO Y SEGUIDO that will depend on progress stabilizing the country, IMPENSABLE CON O SIN LAS FUERZAS DE OCCIDENTE but several military commanders have warned progress will be slow.

Analysis:

A New York Times editorial says Karzai cannot continue insisting "on denying or covering up the predatory ways of some of his closest political allies and family members," as Americans lose patience with the Afghan war.

President Barack Obama's political objectives for Afghanistan are limited and feasible, says military historian Gian Gentile in a recent interview. But he says the military's counterinsurgency strategy and "maximalist approach of nation-building" could take a generation to achieve.

Background: