DRAWING on OBSERVATIONS

Ball point pen on today’s newsprint

President Karzai moved quickly to name Shah Wali Karzai to succeed his slain brother Ahmed Wali Karzai as the head of Kandahar’s provincial council.

Ball point pen on today’s newsprint

US pledges to continue it’s money for peace program as Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai announces the Afghan government has been talking with the Taliban. The insurgents however deny any talks.

Ball point pen on todays newsprint

Behind closed doors, diplomats were whispering that the Afghan government is corrupt.

…Really?

Related link

and another

and another

Ball point pen on todays newsprint

BAGS OF MONEY! It works every time….and don’t act so surprised US. Karsia confirmed that not only have we known all along that he takes bags of money from Iran, but Washington also gives him bags of cash.

Everybody!
…And it’s one, two, three,
What are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn,
Next stop Afghanistan.

Everything old is new again.

Ball point pen on todays newsprint

Pardon me while I remove my jaw from my cereal bowl.

Read it here

Ball point pen on todays newsprint

General David Petraeus is on a campaign to regain public support for the mission in Afghanistan.

Ball point pen on todays newsprint

It’s hard for me to discern which is the bigger conflict, the Taliban or the mission.

In todays NYT

Ball point pen on newsprint

The face of abuse in war torn Afghanistan sparks debate about what would happen if we left.

The Taliban condoned disfigurement of 18-year-old Bibi Aisha’s face for trying to flee abuse from her in-laws is feeding fuel to both sides of the argument.

Read article here.

Ball point pen on todays newsprint

Being the White House press secretary is a tough job.

Ball point pen on todays newsprint

Petraeus’ confirmation expected to be streamlined after McChrysal was brought down by a freelance writer working on an article for Rolling Stone.

Ball point pen on todays newsprint

Continue Reading

Ball point pen on todays newsprint

General McChrystal will be called onto the oval carpet today after being critical of the Obama administration and it’s handling of the War in Afghanistan in a Rolling Stone interview.

Stay tuned.

the NYT article

Rolling Stone article

Ball point pen on todays newsprint

Well, he may be a little heavy. We do believe Ahmed Wali Karzai pays off Taliban insurgents, played a key role in a fraudulent presidential election, is linked to Afghanistan’s profitable opium trade and has senior NATO officials recommending his removal. But, we think he can help persuade Taliban fighters to give up. Well, that, and he’s the presidents brother.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

General McChrystal is the Commander of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A). He has the responsibility for implementing President Obama’s new surge strategy and quick withdrawal in Afghanistan.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Speaking at West Point, the Commander in Chief President Obama informed the nation that he will increase US troops in Afghanistan by 30,000 but will begin to withdraw said troops in 18 months.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

On the eve of Karzai’s inauguration, Secretary Clinton met with the Afghan leader to tell him that future US aid will be tied to his government’s progress in developing an army and eliminating corruption and cronyism.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

The brother of the Afghan president and suspected player in Afghanistan’s illegal opium trade, Ahmed Wali Karzai is also on the CIA payroll for the past eight years. Are we sacrificing lives and treasure in order to prop up an illegitimate government and drug lords?

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

An international audit found widespread fraud in Afghanistan’s August 20th election. The U.N. backed investigators have thrown out nearly one third of the ballots and after considerable pressure, President Hamid Karzai conceded that he did not receive the majority needed and has agreed to a run-off election with his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah.

Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

Former Prime Minister of Denmark, Anders Fogh Rasmussen took office yesterday as the new Secretary General of NATO and immediately called for a stronger European contribution in the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. “I would urge Europeans to look closer into how to ensure a better balance in the alliance.”