Atlantic Council
Senior Advisor to the Atlantic Council and distinguished senior fellow at the National Defense University; Senior Associate (non-resident) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and columnist for the Washington Times; author of America's Promise Restored: Preventing Culture, Crusade and Partisanship from Wrecking the Nation and Unfinished Business: Afghanistan, the Middle East and Beyond - Defusing the Dangers that Threaten America's Security
Assassination in Afghanistan Creates a Void A suicide bomber set off explosives concealed in his turban today in one of Kandahar's largest mosques. Hundreds of mourners were paying their respects to Ahmed Wali Karzai, President Hamid Karzai's half-brother, who was assassinated on Tuesday. His death has created a power vacuum in the southern part of Afghanistan, destabilized the central government and threatened American efforts to cope with the Taliban and begin withdrawing troops before the end of the year.
Assassination and Power Politics in Afghanistan A suicide bomber set off explosives concealed in his turban today in one of Kandahar's largest mosques. Hundreds of mourners were paying their respects to Ahmed Wali Karzai, President Hamid Karzai's half-brother, who was assassinated on Tuesday. His death has created a power vacuum in the southern part of Afghanistan, destabilized the central government and threatened American efforts to cope with the Taliban and begin withdrawing troops before the end of the year. How much will the power vacuum in the South weaken the central government? Will the Taliban seize the moment for new offensives? What will it mean for US efforts to negotiate with the Taliban and for the withdrawal of American soldiers by the end of this year? Photo of Ahmed Wali Karzai: ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office from Kabul, Afghanistan
President Obama Claims Progress in Afghanistan After the much-awaited White House review , President Obama said today that gains in Afghanistan are "fragile" but real. He still hopes to begin a so-called "conditions-based" withdrawal in July of next year.
President Obama Claims Progress in Afghanistan Having sent 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, President Obama conceded today that progress is "fragile." He still thinks withdrawal can begin next July, but also said the war is moving into what he called a "new phase," and that US combat forces will remain until December, 2014. Intelligence estimates say the fight will be harder than the Pentagon claims, with Pakistan refusing to shut down Taliban sanctuaries across the border. A new poll shows that 60 percent of Americans don't think the war is worth fighting. We hear how the President defines his goals as well as his strategy.
Religious Violence and Political Turmoil in Pakistan President Obama's plan to cut troops in Iraq and beef up forces in Afghanistan can't succeed without neighboring Pakistan. But the world's second largest Muslim nation, a nuclear power, is increasingly unstable, with potentially dangerous consequences for American interests. Now Pakistan's weak central government has set off a political firestorm by making a deal with the Taliban, whose influence is spreading. We hear the pros and cons and talk with an American philanthropist who's built 78 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan and now advises the US Army. Special thanks to Lyle Laver for production assistance.
The GOP Candidate in What's Supposed to Be a 'Democratic Year' George Bush has a disapproval rating of 69% , the worst presidential rating in the history of the Gallup Poll. The Wall Street Journal/NBC survey shows that just 27% of voters like the Republican Party. But it also indicates that the Republicans' presumptive presidential nominee, John McCain , who promises more of the same, runs nearly even against Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama . Are the political media giving McCain a free ride? Is he really the "maverick" he's made out to be? We hear about tax cuts, the economy and what he means by "victory" in Iraq. Once the Democrats resolve their nomination fight, will the campaign focus on issues, or will it all be about personality and image?
Counterinsurgency: Is This the Future of the US Military? President Bush has acknowledged that current strategy in Iraq is not working. As the President reconsiders, senior military leaders are stepping down, giving Defense Secretary Robert Gates the chance to pick new ones. The Los Angeles Times reports that the military is divided between a conventionally-minded old guard and a new generation focused on counterinsurgency. The answers to questions about what should be changed may well apply not just to Iraq, but also to the so-called "war on terror." Some experts say it's not really a "war" at all--with a single enemy worldwide. They say it's as much about information as guns. Is America faced with a new kind of warfare? Is counterinsurgency required after all?
The London Airline Plot and the War on Terror A jet plane bound from London to Washington was diverted to Boston today. It turned out that a woman with claustrophobia had an altercation with the flight crew. But F-15 fighters were dispatched to escort the plane to the ground. That shows how much tension there is among pilots, airline officials and security personnel since the plot to bomb airplanes was revealed last week. Meantime, there have been rumors that the US and Pakistan pushed British intelligence officials to make arrests before they were ready. We get the latest on these developments, and what they reveal about airline safety, and whether the so-called "war on terror" is being fought more by intelligence agents than soldiers.
One year later, Ojai reflects on the Thomas Fire in a new book A year after the Thomas Fire began, a new book out of Ojai tells stories of the community’s destruction and regrowth. Cuddle groups are popping up all over the place, including Santa Barbara. And, according to a newly released report, sea level rise could cover nearly two-thirds of Santa Barbara city beaches by 2100.
Does Manafort have any credibility left? Is this a crazy legal strategy or a hail mary?