Monthly Archives: August 2009

Jim Jones on the Newsies today.

Posted on August 9, 2009 by Pat Lang

The general needs some help with the business of TV interviews.  He is not a good speaker.  He was stiff, spoke in a monotone and had a number of verbal tics.  Nevertheless, I think it was a good thing for … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, government | 22 Comments

Just buy the opium.

Posted on August 8, 2009 by Pat Lang

"By selling wheat seeds and fruit saplings to farmers at token prices, offering cheap credit, and paying poppy-farm laborers to work on roads and irrigation ditches, U.S. and British officials hope to provide alternatives before the planting season begins in … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan | 45 Comments

Open Thread – 7 August 2009

Posted on August 7, 2009 by Pat Lang

Go to it.  I will watch with interest.  pl

Posted in Open Thread | 30 Comments

“Iraqi Authorities to Remove Capital’s Blast Walls” Washpost

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Pat Lang

"Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, a spokesman for the Baghdad security command, said the blast walls would vanish from highways and secondary roads within 40 days, marking the first time the government has provided a timeline for their removal. Some Western … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments

“U-turn puts Hezbollah in the driving seat” – Moubayad

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Pat Lang

"Those who rejoiced at the election results in Lebanon on June 7 had a big surprise this week, as the tables seemed to turn on the pro-Western coalition in favor of the Hezbollah-led opposition, and Damascus."  Moubayad  ————————————————————————– Walid Jumblatt … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 5 Comments

It’s 1963 again. This time, Afghanistan

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Pat Lang

"… given the relatively small size of the Afghan army and police — numbering some 170,000 men — and with the total number of U.S./NATO troops numbering around 100,000, McChrystal's impending request makes a great deal of military sense. While … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan | 30 Comments

Harper on “facing reality”

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Pat Lang

The failure of President Obama to face reality is the greatest single threat to the survival of the United States as we know it. Whether it is facing the tough choices on Afghanistan, or dealing with an out-of-control breakdown of … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 10 Comments

National Journal Comment – 4 August 2009

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Pat Lang

http://security.nationaljournal.com/2009/08/us-foreign-policy-speak-a-towe.php#1345357 I spent the day today at a veterinary clinic with a sick Canine-American member of the family and did not have much time for SST today.   I did, however write a further comment over on the rather inhibited NJ … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 22 Comments

National Journal Blog – 3 August 2009

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Pat Lang

http://security.nationaljournal.com/2009/08/us-foreign-policy-speak-a-towe.php#1345076

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Ruminations on the Afghan “money pit,” etc.

Posted on August 2, 2009 by Pat Lang

Afghanistan – Yesterday, I watched file footage of General McChrystal at his confirmation hearing.  In it he clearly said that he intended to wage a "comprehensive counterinsurgency campaign."  (paraphrasing).  I hadn't heard that before.  Well, he was honest.  I mistook … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, The economy | 27 Comments