MSNBC keeps referring to "The Biden Plan" -- that Obama is moving towards it. Does anybody know

[gateley]

exactly what it is?

I just know that Biden didn't want to escalate in Afghanistan -- didn't know there was a Plan.

Thanks.

[TheWraith]

1. Basically, to ignore the Taliban and target Al Qaeda exclusively. nt

[gateley]

3. Ahhh. Thanks. But aren't they saying now that they're wanting to work with the Taliban?

And Al Q is almost DOA, right?

What am I missing, here?

[TheWraith]

6. It's mostly a matter of degrees.

Part of the premise is basically to split off the really hard-line guys from the guys who just want to be left alone; offer amnesty and even alliance to local tribal leaders who are willing to abide to a greater or lesser extent by the Afghan government, even getting them to buy-in to the political process. It's sort of like the Allies and the Soviet Union during World War II. You may not like them, but you can work with them. A large portion of the "carrot" here is based on the fact that the US is in the process of leaving: that means the locals seeing that we really don't plan to be conquerors, and less motivation to try and risk their lives to kill Americans.

Meanwhile, the hard-core holy warriors and the guys who are more interested in taking over Afghanistan than in living in their part of it in peace are left with fewer and fewer allies, making them easier targets.

[DCKit]

7. Too logical and sensible. The Teahadii will never go for it.

We gots to kill 'em all!

Hey, so what if it costs a trillion a year, our grand kids can afford it.

[phleshdef]

2. Biden wanted a small force maintained there for counter terrorism and support.

Its similar to what we did after the Korean war.

[gateley]

4. Okay -- I see the parallel. Thanks. nt

[LiberalLoner]

5. Yup, counterterrorism rather than counterinsurgency.