Earlier today, Clint called for a more comprehensive media treatment of the United States’s new Afghanistan strategy—one, in particular, that illuminates, for American audiences, the perspectives of the everyday residents of Afghanistan whose lives will be most directly affected by the plan.
To the rescue comes Afghanistan Crossroads, CNN’s new Afghanistan-focused blog, which does more—and better—than most of its counterparts in offering and emphasizing the all-important perspectives of the Afghan people. One post in particular, a roundup of reactions to the Obama plan from several sources in the Afghan media, is especially illuminating for those purposes; but the entire blog is very much worth a read and a bookmark.
Secretary Clinton is correct when she ties US success in Afghanistan to civilian as well as military efforts. In October 2009, the Institute for Inclusive Security brought a delegation of senior Afghan women leaders to Washington DC for consultations with officials at the White House, State Department, and on Capitol Hill. Their recommendations emphasized the need to build Afghan Governmental capacity to balance civilian and military power and reduce corruption. Their specific recommendations can be viewed here: http://www.huntalternatives.org/AfghanistanRecommendationsOct2009.cfm
#1 Posted by Michelle, CJR on Thu 3 Dec 2009 at 04:00 PM