Partner content from:
The New Republic: Is Obama Karzai's Fiddle?
Afghan President Hamid Karzai listens to questions during a press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai listens to questions during a press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009.
When John Kerry persuaded Hamid Karzai to agree to a run-off election, the New York Times correctly described this victory as "little more than a catastrophe averted." So how do you describe the situation as it exists now, with the run-off called off due to Abdullah Abdullah's withdrawal? I'd say it's a pretty big victory for Karzai, and not just because he's won himself another term. By agreeing to the run-off (and satisfying the U.S.) but then refusing to take the steps necessary to make that run-off fair (and thus failing to satisfy Abdullah), Karzai bought himself some precious time. Remember, until Karzai gave in to Kerry's cajoling, he was on the verge of losing international support, most crucially from the United States. Now, his "victory" is being welcomed by the Obama administration — with David Axelrod going so far as to say that Abdullah "was likely to be defeated anyway."
So what's next? Obama administration officials are saying they'll judge Karzai on his appointments and whether he finally cracks down on drugs and corruption. But, of course, it's going to take at least several months before they can make any judgments about those things. And, by that time, it's a good bet that Obama will have already decided to send least some of the additional American troops Karzai so desperately needs and wants. And who knows? Karzai was pretty good at getting out of this jam. If Obama isn't satisfied with Karzai's performance several months from now, Karzai may well be able to get out of that jam, as well.
Was Creigh Deeds's Fatal Error Being Himself? by Jason Zengerle
Karzai vs. Abdullah: A Twisted Saga of Alliance and Betrayal, 30 Years in the Making by Jean MacKenzie
Why Nuclear Power Has a Magical Place in the Conservative Heart by Bradford Plumer
Should The World Only Speak One Language? by John McWhorter
Will the Democrats Be Forced to Back Away From the Public Option? by Suzy Khimm
Enough With the Collapsing Bridges and Clogged Highways: Here's The Best Way to Fund Our Crumbling Infrastructure by Christopher Leinberger
Why Obama Shouldn't Rely on the Memory of Yitzchak Rabin by Marty Peretz
What Ford's Profits Tell Us About the Recovery by Noam Scheiber
Is Lieberman Really Willing to Torpedo Health Care Reform If He Doesn't Get His Way? by Suzy Khimm
Partner content from:
Comments
Please note that all comments must adhere to the NPR.org discussion rules and terms of use. See also the Community FAQ.
NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.