Jesse Gunther on Afghanistan

**The following are insights of Jesse Gunther, a media analyst specializing in Afghanistan for a strategic communications firm**

On Meet the Press, Obama made several excellent points regarding Afghanistan but none of them were strong enough or go far enough to improve the situation in Afghanistan (possibly he is saving the more heavy points for when he is in office).

Essentially, Obama has five points on Afghanistan.

(1) The Afghan War Must Include Pakistan

Cross-border attacks by the Taliban have been going on for years, but have increased recently. Without active operations into Pakistan the Taliban can never really be weakened. Now, this does not endear us to Pakistan but reports have circulated about a secret agreement between the Pakistani and US officials to sanction US attacks on Pakistani soil. The Pakistani government would never inform Pakistanis of such an agreement at the risk of appearing weak. While this is a bad arrangement because it only weakens US support in the region, cross border ops need to continue.

(2) Afghanistan Needs Better Development

This point is paramount. Development is really what is going to win the war. The US is never going to get rid of the Taliban and their ideology, so it needs to convince Afghans that the US is not the ‘bad guys.’ Currently, US reconstruction projects are ineffective and left to Afghans only eighty-percent complete. The Afghans do not have the capabilities of finishing the remaining twenty-percent. We also give them trucks that are 40 years old, really old septic tanks painted new, and machinery that is not compatible with their electrical systems!? The most important infrastructural developments are perhaps providing internet connectivity (knowledge is power and the Afghans are smart people who pick things up easily) and electricity. This is not to say, however, that good reconstruction projects are not being pursued. They are. They are just limited by a lot of red tape and senseless laws. Moreover, organizations other than the military must be more robustly involved in the infrastructural development projects, i.e. the military primarily deconstructs.

(3) More Afghan Confidence in their Government

This is essential, but Obama says the US cannot meddle in the Afghan government while simultaneously calling for corruption to end. The US can help the government train officials and set up a better infrastructure, but cannot be seen as attempting to influence the Afghan government beyond normal diplomacy. The key is striking this balance. Obama’s conflicted policy must change if he is to do so.

(4) Winning Hearts and Minds

This will be done through reconstruction and nothing else.

(5) Troop Surge

Lastly, Obama is favorful of a troop surge. This is a good thing, but only in context of a better and more coordinated strategy, especially in terms of reconstruction projects.

Jesse Gunther is a media analyst for a strategic communications firm covering the US military in Afghanistan.