Word: afghanistanism
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...battlefront is equally grim. October saw the highest monthly death toll of U.S. soldiers since the war began, and on Nov. 3 five British soldiers were killed when fired on by an Afghan policeman - it is still unclear if the shooter was a Taliban plant. (See pictures of Afghanistan's dangerous Korengal Valley...
...Karzai on Nov. 3 admitted that "Afghanistan's image has been tainted by corruption." Speaking at his first press conference since his re-election was confirmed, he said, "We will strive, by any means possible, to eradicate this stain." But while his speech was big on promises, many Afghans fear little will change. As Karzai spoke, he was flanked by his new Vice President, Marshal Fahim, a warlord accused of several human-rights violations and whose selection by Karzai as a running mate caused consternation in the West. Just a few hours earlier, Abdul Rashid Dostum, another notorious warlord...
...Karzai's re-election casts doubt over the prospects for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan to achieve its goals. General Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, insists that the war cannot be won unless there is an effective government in place to partner with Western troops and grow the Afghan security forces. Now Obama is forced to make his decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan in the knowledge that the mission's Afghan partner for the foreseeable future will be one whose ability to deliver has long been questioned, even by Obama. And this...
...Dempsey, a Kabul-based analyst for the U.S. Institute of Peace, is doubtful that a new Karzai administration will make the necessary changes. "Everyone knows that Karzai is self-interested and corrupt," says Dempsey. "Of course he is a kind man who cares, and who wants the best for Afghanistan, but that is not his paramount concern. His paramount concern is making sure that he and his cronies are enriching themselves and are in positions of power. Afghanistan comes second...
...factor holding Karzai's feet to the fire, though, may be the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and his dependence on foreign troops for his physical survival. "I think [President] Karzai understands that he has to make changes to maintain an international commitment," says Hekmat Karzai. "He is also concerned about his legacy. If his presidency is going to be one that Afghans remember fondly, then clearly there has to be some issues he has to deal with...