Two news items drew my attention this morning.
First, CNN.com is reporting that Turkey is going to send several hundred soldiers to Southern Lebanon. A Turkish role (even if only symbolic) is important because they are one of the few states with a majority Muslim population that has had reasonable relations with Israel. Turkey also has some strategic conflicts with Syria and Hezbollah.
Second, while Bush is telling us we can't withdraw from Iraq because that would be the same as appeasing "terrists," he is giving his blessing to a negotiated peace between the Pakistani government and Pashtun tribesmen that amounts to a de facto Pakistani withdrawal from the tribal areas along the Afghan border where conventional wisdom says is the home to the Taliban/Al Qaida and Osama Bin laden! The deal calls for the tribal leaders to expel foreign fighters but since it also calls for a substantial withdrawal of Pakistani government troops, how this requirement would be verified let alone enforced is beyond me.
How screwed up are Bush's strategic priorities here? OMFG!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Two Items of Interest
Posted by Raised By Republicans at 6:32 AM
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Is this a preview of deals that will be cut between Karzai and Afghan/Taliban warlords?
So... Hizbollah must no longer occupy part of Lebanon and make war on other countries, but it's okay for Pashtun tribesmen? Sheesh.
// posted by LTG
It's worse than "Pashtun tribesmen." Fox News, BBC, and CNN are all calling it a peace deal between Pakistan and "pro-Taliban militants."
OMFG in deed.
The polls are saying that a majority of Americans want some kind of exit strategy from Iraq. But in his condition of what looks increasingly like drunken disconnect, Bush mistakes this for demands that we abandon what little committment we still have in South-Central Asia.
I just can't believe how insanely stupid this adminsitration is. From what I can tell from annecdotal observations, the only people that still support these guys are full on religious fanatics (who are so out of touch they think they are mainstream).
Vote Democrat in 2006!
// posted by RBR
LTG, that's not "Sheesh" that's "Ha! Sheesh!"
Sorry, I couldn't stop myself from punning.
// posted by RBR
havign Turkey in Lebanon may be great for the Lebanese, but not so great for the Turks. YOu have to remember that the currently ruling party is much more conservative than those of the past. Turkey guards its secularism. But the AKP is not secular. Here is good OpEd that helps explain it from the Turkish perspective. It is much more complex than "we don't want to shoot at Muslims". It is involved with Turkey's foreign policy positioning, the level of trust that is placed in its military, and a sense of history.
// posted by USwest
They AKP may have a lot trouble getting the secular and independent military to follow their faith based priorities.
// posted by RBR
They will have a hard time, however, the Turkish military will be in a difficult position in Lebanon, that is for sure.
// posted by USwest
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