former diplomat, Afghanistan's Embassy in Washington
Former diplomat in Afghanistan's Embassy in Washington; founder and Executive Director of the Afghanistan Policy Council, and contributing author to The Silk Roads: Transport and Trade in Greater Central Asia
Afghanistan and the 'Civilian Surge' Laying out his strategy for Afghanistan last March, President Obama called for "agricultural specialists and educators, engineers and lawyers…to develop an economy that isn't dominated by illicit drugs." But last week's speech on increasing troops contained only a single reference to a "civilian surge."
Afghanistan and the 'Civilian Surge' In last week's speech on Afghanistan, President Obama barely mentioned the so-called "civilian surge," an essential part of counterinsurgency doctrine. But Secretaries Gates and Clinton are talking it up , and government employees are being recruited from Agriculture and other departments.
Belly up to the Barr Bill Barr is set to reprise his role as Attorney General, but this time for the Trump administration. Why would he want the job now?
Definitely not talking about Julian Assange Fine, maybe we talk about him a little. Plus, Paul Manafort’s flawed redacting, and we still don’t know much about the secret foreign company subpoenaed by the federal prosecutor who could be the special counsel.
Trump‘s Wall and the Politics of ‘Us Versus Them’ Politically, Trump’s great wall may not be worth the government shutdown. But it appeals to his base, including evangelical Christians. As the country’s white, protestant majority gives way to diversity, some fear that the essence of America is changing. Opposition to immigration in Western Europe is no coincidence.
Could agave become Santa Barbara’s next major crop? In many ways, growing agave in Santa Barbara makes a lot of sense. Not only does it use very little water and thrive on generally inhospitable land, but it can act as a fuel break for wildfires. Now, local farmers and distillers are experimenting with the crop.