Obama Unveils New Strategy for Afghanistan

By Ioana Botea

Friday, March 27th, President Barack Obama unveiled the new strategy for the war in Afghanistan, specifically aimed at defeating Taliban and al-Qaeda militants in the region. By focusing on a narrower objective, Obama distanced himself from the broad attempt of nation-building the Bush administration has sought in Iraq. He declared that, “I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.” The primary target of his speech was the American public who has become more skeptical to war, and who needed to be reminded why American troops still are in Afghanistan. Calling the region “the most dangerous in the world,” Obama pointed out that, 7 years after the American-led invasion, the situation in Afghanistan is “increasingly perilous,” with the Taliban progressively regaining control over the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Following the recommendations of a two-month policy review led by special envoy Richard Holbrooke, the new strategy is centered on the idea of treating the Af-Pak border as a “single theatre”. According to Mr. Holbrooke, the real source of the problem lies in Pakistan, which has become a safe haven for the Taliban and al-Qaeda elements. In order to thwart the further expansion of the Taliban, Obama announced an increase in the resources devoted to Afghanistan, as American involvement in Iraq is diminishing. He had already ordered 17,000 additional troops, coupled with 4,000 more “trainers” to be sent to the country by the end of 2009. He also announced the decision to increase Afghan security forces. The local army is expected to grow from 80,000 to 134,000 by 2011, with estimations up to 250,000. The decision to shift more responsibility to governments in Kabul and Islamabad is motivated both by the attempt to reduce the costs associated with mobilizing Western troops, and by the need to gradually enable them to re-establish control over their countries.

Obama insisted that, “we need a stronger, smarter and comprehensive strategy.” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Richard Holbrook both favored wide-ranging coordinated efforts to fight corruption and diversify the economy in Afghanistan. However, in addition to the “comprehensive” strategy to develop the infrastructure and promote democratic governance in Afghanistan, the administration is also planning for an eventual exit. Obama emphasized the critical need to tackle terrorists, but he also suggested that prolonged occupation of a foreign land should be avoided. In an attempt to gain international support, Obama insisted that, “This is not simply an American problem – far from it. It is, instead, an international security challenge of the highest order.”