The Jirga - A Positive Step In The Wrong Direction

This past week the Karzai administration in Afghanistan completed the much heralded “Jirga” assembly and, predictably, the Obama White House issued a statement lauding the efforts. Those on the political left always applaud inclusive gatherings so long as they don’t represent the views of Christians or Constitutionalists.

After eight plus years of “war” in Afghanistan it appears we have accomplished the removal of a corrupt government very hostile to the United States, and replaced it with a corrupt government somewhat less able to be hostile to the United States. That is progress of a sort. On the other hand, call me naïve, but as I see it the “Jirga” is a process of negotiating the Taliban back into political power. I would find it much more comforting if the Taliban views were being condemned rather than being considered. It’s like negotiating to include the views of the KKK because, after all, there are a lot of racists out there.

A State Department spokesman named P.J. Crowley issued the following statement: “We thought the Jirga accomplished its objectives and has provided a national consensus to pursue a political strategy to reduce the danger posed by the insurgency.” A lot of three and four syllable words there, but not much of a point. Do you need a national consensus to pursue a strategy? Exactly what danger has been reduced? If the Taliban returns to power, does that not pose a greater long term danger? I’m glad the State Department is encouraged, but inviting and including radical views has a track record of backfiring historically.

I question why we have remained for so long in Afghanistan and Iraq. I supported the military assault and successes of removing the Taliban from power and running Akaka out of the country. I supported the efforts to finally address the tyranny of Suddam Hussein and remove him from power. But when we pulled him up out of the hole in the ground, militarily speaking, our job was over. I would have supported coming back home without much concern for what the opposing factions do to themselves in Iraq or Afghanistan. When they adopt a constitution like ours and specifically ask for help to insure personal liberty, I might see things differently.

We have again become mired in the business of nation building without much hope that the insurgents won’t return and resume tribal competition for power. I sincerely hope time proves me wrong, but I doubt the last four years of our troops on the ground will change the long term outcomes of the people of Iraq or Afghanistan. When we leave they probably will be no more supportive of a democracy than when we arrived.

For my part I would prefer we stop being so optimistic about being inclusive to extremists and return to a policy of walking softly and carrying a big stick. Our response to 9-11 shocked the Middle East, Osama Bin Laden included. We put the world on notice that when you mess with the big dog, he bites. For a time terrorist supporting regimes were afraid to taunt the big dog any further. That’s the “strategy” I support. To be ready to strike a completely devastating blow when America is attacked in any way, and to make sure that reality is understood to any nation that provides direct or indirect support to attacks of terrorism against the United States.

America is not a bully, but we are walking in a world of bully wanna-bes. We have a responsibility to defend and protect our way of life for our own people. Being inclusive of views that are socially aggressive, politically inconsiderate, or religiously extreme doesn’t work against bullies. Especially when they are devoted to destroying your way of life. What stops them always is the fear of greater retaliation for their aggressiveness.

What they do in the Middle East is their own business, so long as it does not include attacks upon us. The best way to insure that doesn’t happen is to withdraw support for radicalism rather than to encourage it with loose words of praise.

And always have a bigger stick with the resolve to use it.