Why I don't support President Obama's Afghanistan policy

[izquierdista]

I'd like to put out an alternative strategy to the military one being offered in Afghanistan. That's the big problem that Obama was faced with, picking a military strategy, when "none of the above" was the the best option. When politicians rely on the military as a solution, they are abdicating their responsibility as politicians to come up with a political solution. I call my alternative strategy the "Hong Kong solution" because it evolved out of the British-Chinese war.

The British really wanted to conquer China and add it to their empire, along with India, much as the United States wants to add Afghanistan to the "Coalition of the Willing". However, they were realistic about how much control they could have in another vast, populous country half a world away, so they settled by just grabbing Hong Kong. Although the Chinese were none too happy with it at the time, it did turn out to have long term benefits for them. And by limiting British territory to the small area of Hong Kong, it only insulted the pride of the Chinese and did not result in a countywide insurrection against the British.

There are many other small enclaves that offend the host, but end up facilitating cultural connection and understanding: Macau, Guantanamo (at least until the torture started), Gibraltar, Ceuta, Goa (until it was annexed), and others. Sometimes a small toehold is all that is needed instead of lots of "boots on the ground". That is behind much of the reason that the military has bases in 190 countries all over the planet -- they don't just want a refueling stop, but they want to have a presence to build an alliance with an ally.

It's not a fool-proof strategy, Okinawans have pretty much had it with Americans raping and murdering their teenagers. Soviet satellites were also not to thrilled to have their Warsaw Pact ally camped in their territory. It really boils down to knowing how to be a guest and not burn out your welcome: (1) impose as little as you can; you can't sleep in the master bedroom (2) know when to make yourself scarce; you are not King Solomon and you can't mediate all arguments (3) don't freeload and (4) wait to give your opinion until you are asked.

So how would this work in Afghanistan and Pakistan?
1) Have the US negotiate a long term lease for one (and only one) territory that would be more than just a military base.
2) Have a teaching hospital at the territory that could train local doctors and offer medical care to locals.
3) Have a school system through university in the territory that allows locals to learn about American culture.
4) Have an agricultural experiment station in the territory that offers help to local farmers.
5) Have a corps of engineers that can provide advice on infrastructure projects.
6) Make it clear that all local factions are welcome to visit and don't take sides.
7) Make the perimeter of the territory a defensive position, and don't "fight 'em there" by going beyond the territory.

Done properly, only a small number of personnel would be needed for military defense of the territory and the vast majority would be involved in humanitarian projects that would be the projection of "soft power". A plan like this would cost much less than a million dollars per person per year. The difference between what a mercenary wants and what a Peace Corps volunteer will do is staggering. For the price of one Blackwater contractor, you could have 19 Peace Corps volunteers and one soldier and you would get a far better result.

[leftstreet]

1. Well, I'll K&R this for Kinder, Gentler Imperialism

In all fairness, it's a viewpoint

[jberryhill]

2. Funny.... Obama Proposed This Stuff....

Why do you assert the premise that the principal thing here is a military strategy?


"So how would this work in Afghanistan and Pakistan?


4) Have an agricultural experiment station in the territory that offers help to local farmers."

Gee, um, it would be reel kool if Obammer had thunk'a sumpin like dat...


Second, we will work with our partners, the UN, and the Afghan people to pursue a more effective civilian strategy, so that the government can take advantage of improved security.

This effort must be based on performance. The days of providing a blank check are over. President Karzai's inauguration speech sent the right message about moving in a new direction. And going forward, we will be clear about what we expect from those who receive our assistance. We will support Afghan Ministries, Governors, and local leaders that combat corruption and deliver for the people. We expect those who are ineffective or corrupt to be held accountable. And we will also focus our assistance in areas - such as agriculture - that can make an immediate impact in the lives of the Afghan people.


Dang.... that would have been an interesting idea, if he'd mentioned anything like that.

Oh, uh, waitaminnit....

[izquierdista]

3. Allow me to elucidate

You seem to gloss over the point that I only want to do these things in an area of 10 or so square miles, preferably a relatively uninhabited locale, not the whole country. Take away the divisions traipsing all over the country, engaging in firefights with anyone with a gun, and take away the drones bombing any group of more than a dozen people. You must have missed my point about it being 95% Peace Corps and 5% military. I wouldn't be bitching if Obama called for 33,000 Peace Corps volunteers and 2,000 soldiers.

And to the first response, yes, you can call it a kinder and gentler imperialism, but I won't take that as an insult. There is a dis-symmetry between the world's most advanced economy (but won't be for much longer) and the world's most wretched places: Somalia, Afghanistan, etc. Pirates and warlords are the product of a primitive age and to get rid of them, some sort of cultural transfer from the "more advanced" has to take place. The populace needs to be induced, not forced, to join the modern world where negotiation replaces guerrilla attack and women's opinions matter, and in exchange they get sanitation facilities and lower infant mortality.

[mix]

4. And what will these "schools" teach them about American culture? nt

[izquierdista]

5. Like this

http://www.aub.edu.lb/about/mission.html
There should be more of these around the world, if the U.S. wants to build a positive image.