Now that the US is going to exit Iraq—finally—perhaps we can take the time to reconsider the war in Afghanistan. With rockets being fired at US troops from Pakistan, I am sure that this weekend’s moment of clarity from President Karzai has raised a few concerns:
“God forbid, if any war took place between Pakistan and the United States, we will stand by Pakistan,” Karzai said an interview broadcast Saturday on Pakistan’s Geo television network. “If Pakistan is attacked and if the people of Pakistan needed Afghanistan’s help, Afghanistan will be there with you.”
Thankfully, Karzai claims that the media has misinterpreted this statement. As the LA Times reports:
A spokesman for Karzai, Siamak Herawi, said the president had not intended any slight to the Western governments that have spent billions of dollars shoring up the Afghan administration during the 10-year war that has claimed the lives of at least 1,817 American troops.
Thanks for clearing that up. No slight intended, no slight received….One can only wonder how much more treasure and blood we will need to spill in Afghanistan before we declare “mission accomplished” and return home.
PILEUS 