For President-elect Barack Obama, the Urgent Demands of a Perilous World
By contrast, Obama sees Afghanistan as "the right war," though one allowed to drift amid Bush's Iraq fixation. The incoming president promises to bolster the current 34,000 U.S. troops with at least two brigades; they will join 30,000 from other countries. But the war instigated seven years ago to root out the perpetrators of 9/11 has entered, warn U.S. intelligence agencies, "a downward spiral." An insurgency in impoverished rural areas fights on, with sanctuaries in the mountainous tribal realms of Pakistan. It is fueled by opium money and disdain for a Kabul government unable to clamp down on corruption or extend its dominion. At least 153 U.S. soldiers perished there in 2008, more than in any previous year.
Pressure for a new strategy in Afghanistan is building. "We're not going to defeat them on the battlefield," says Scowcroft. Instead, the coming troop surge is likely to be paired with a broader campaign to ease poverty, provide services, and buck up the Kabul government. The idea of negotiating with some insurgents is gaining support in national security circles. Such a political process would try to peel off elements of the Taliban vaguely called the "reconcilables." But the period for a purely military defeat of the Taliban, if it ever existed, appears to have slipped away.
Bush also passes on the campaign to vanquish al Qaeda. The often clandestine conflict has seen tactical victories but promises to go on for years. Al Qaeda has adapted to U.S. and allied pressure by morphing into a far-flung network of Islamist terrorist groups. Osama bin Laden remains at large, most likely holed up in Pakistani tribal lands.
Other risks are growing. Footloose foreign militants who gravitated to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan could well stage attacks elsewhere. Pakistan and its tribal areas are already considered the main wellspring of international terrorism, as November's stunning attacks in Mumbai help illustrate.
Plenty of other unfinished business awaits Obama. He and his choice for secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, will likely need to train much of their diplomatic energy on the Mideast. Bush recently argued that it "is a freer, more hopeful, and more promising place than it was in 2001." That is not the view there. Instead, the U.S.-led Iraq invasion and occupation, along with Bush's democracy-promoting "Freedom Agenda," are seen as having shaken, rather than settled, the region. Iran and the radical movements Hezbollah and Hamas have expanded their influence. U.S. activism for an Israeli-Palestinian peace came late, and the effort is stalled. Palestinians are divided into two camps, with Hamas having taken over Gaza after winning U.S.-promoted elections. Washington is distrusted by most Arabs as reflexively pro-Israel, leaving America's Arab allies on the defensive.
Advancing peace. Against that backdrop, the Israeli-Palestinian question is likely to see new attention. For all its frustrations, such peacemaking is still key to U.S. aims: reducing terrorism and anti-Americanism, blunting the influence of Iran and radical movements, bringing security to Israelis and Palestinians, and winning over Arab help on stabilizing Iraq and other issues.
Obama has said he will try to advance peace "from the minute I'm sworn into office." He may well feel compelled to, if only to ease the volatility of a region that can overwhelm other priorities and propel tragedy onto faraway shores. "What happens in the Middle East won't stay there. We're not talking about Las Vegas," says Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations.
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I am BK. Chandrakant, dedicated member of Prajapita Brahma
Kumari Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Mount Abu. I am doing GODLY Service
in the IT Department. I have observed several GOD virtues in you.
1. Simplicityis the beauty of all values
2. Truth.is the foundation of all values
3.Contentment is the embodiment of all values
4. Respect. is the dembonstration of all values
5. Cheerfulness is the evidence of all values
6. Intravertness is the kay of all values
7. Humility is the protector of all values
8. Sweetness is the flavour of values
9. patience is the fortress of all values
10.Purity is the mother of all values
11. Courage is the heart of all values
12. LOve is the queen of all velues
13. Peace is the king of all values
14.honestty is the guru of all values
What is your opinion on GOD and his Duties. Do you believe in GOD
and have you tried to know more about him. Just come down to Mount
Abu.
So we are inviting you to attend our campus. at your convenience. We
will be delighted to see you at Mount abu.
BK.Chandrakant
Welcome to Brahma Kumaris IT & Communications
The Aim of 'IT & Communications' is to become
instrumental in bringing effictiveness, creativity,
stress free life and work style through ''Spirituality.
Our endeavor is to bring peace, harmony , unity among
the beings and to make the world a global peaceful
village and also to encounter anti social and evil
powers from the globe.
Our IT & Communications team render volantry services
to individuals associated with IT & Corporate sector
through various self development programs .
Our aim is to promote the ethical values in the
world being done through various seminars ,
conferences, dialogues, workshops, IT retreats etc.
Therefore I am inviting to you at least once, you have to come
to our Mount Abu (Shantivan), Rajastan,INDIA which is mostly
famous hill station all over the world.
Most interesting Hall in our shantivan is Diamond Hall
In this hall there are 30,000 person can sits for conference
All are invited from all over the world.
Thanks and Regards
------------------
BK.Chandrakant
DR.DADI PAKASH MANI
ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD OF.THE BHRANMA KUUMARI,S
WORLD SPIRITUAL VIERSIY.MT.ABU RAJASTAN INDIA
FORHER OUTSANDING CONTRIBATION
HUMAN WELFARE GLOBAL PEACE
Raj yogini dadi Hri daya mo hiniji
An,Angel of Peace on Earith
RAJ YOGINI DADI JANKI
TARBL MAIT OF GOD RAET HAND
WORLD SPIRITUAL VIERSIY .MT.ABU RAJASTAN.INDIN
CIP OF BRAHMA KUMARI,S
What is your opinion on GOD and his Duties. Do you believe in GOD
and have you tried to know more about him. Just come down to Mount
Abu.
So we are inviting you to attend our campus. at your convenience. We
will be delighted to see you at Mount abu
MR GODWIN DANIEL
my name is mr Godwin daniel,
I am from Burkina faso west africa ouagadougou, really i love the hard work of mr barak obama,
below is my email for morn comminication
The world Obama inherits
Every US President comes into office faced with considerable problems -- THEY DO NOT INHERIT THESE, because they sought this position and if they did their homework, should know the existing conditions and come prepared to offer solutions. Obama mentions this "inherit" thing at every opportunity. Mr. Obama and his supporters should stop whining and complaining they inherited a mess.
World-wide goodwill was squandered because Congress and the American Press did nothing in the 8 years of the Bush administration but trash this country. According to them, America did nothing good to the world and caused every disaster to ever happen during Bush's tenure. They claim we cause Global warming, we caused the 9/11 attack, we lied about WMD, we tortured terrorists, we were breaking international law, etc... If I was a young adult in another country with limited access to alternative press and only got news from the mainstream american press, I would think America is the most evil country in the history of the world. And now? We have no less than the President of this GREAT country making these same irresponsible allegations and apologizing around the world as if we are actually guilty... Amazing!
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