AFP: US mulls working with some Taliban
— AFP reports: “The Obama Administration was looking at whether it could work with some members of the Taliban as part of a review of the Afghanistan war strategy, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hinted overnight.”
— “‘We’re in the midst of a very thorough analysis of our assumptions about how best to achieve our core goals of protecting our country, our interests and our friends and allies from the scourge of terrorism,’ Ms Clinton said.”
— “‘I’m not going to pre-empt or prejudge where this analysis comes out,’ Ms Clinton said in response to a question on whether she agreed with some in President Barack Obama’s Administration who support Washington working with some ‘reconcilable’ elements of the Taliban.”
— “‘We are looking at every possible question that can be raised, including the one that you just asked, in order to determine the smartest approach for the president to adopt,’ the chief US diplomat said as she stood alongside New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully.”
National Post: Obama willing to talk to Taliban
— “‘Bowing to the reality that the Taliban is too ingrained in Afghanistan’s culture to be entirely defeated, the administration is prepared, as it has been for some time, to accept some Taliban role in parts of Afghanistan,’ the official said, according to the AP story.”
London Times: Barack Obama: Taleban can be involved in Afghanistan future
—- “That could mean paving the way for insurgents willing to renounce violence to participate in a central government, and even ceding some regions of the country to the Taleban”
AP: Obama’s Taliban ‘truce’: President is ready to give group an Afghan role, clamp down on Qaeda
— AP: “President Obama is prepared to accept some Taliban involvement in Afghanistan’s political future, a senior administration official said Thursday.”
AP source: Obama focusing on al-Qaida, not Taliban
— AP: “President Barack Obama is prepared to accept some Taliban involvement in Afghanistan’s political future and appears inclined to send only as many more U.S. troops to Afghanistan as are needed to keep al-Qaida at bay, a senior administration official said Thursday”
Washington Post: Taliban cannot be eliminated, Obama administration concludes
— “Emerging Goal for Afghanistan: Weaken, Not Vanquish, Taliban”
— Washington Post: ” As it reviews its Afghanistan policy for the second time this year, the Obama administration has concluded that the Taliban cannot be eliminated as a political or military movement, regardless of how many combat forces are sent into battle.”
Huffington Post: Obama To Accept Taliban In Afghanistan’s Future: Senior Official
— “The Taliban and the question of how the administration should regard the Islamist movement have assumed a central place in the policy deliberations under way at the White House, according to administration officials participating in the meetings.”
NY Times: Afghan War Debate Now Leans to Focus on Al Qaeda
FOX News: War Deliberations in D.C. May Give Taliban Advantage in Afghanistan, Critics Say
Reuters: General wants 40,000 more U.S. troops for Afghan
— “The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan has recommended an increase of 40,000 troops as the minimum necessary to prevail, two sources familiar with his recommendations said on Thursday.”
— “General Stanley McChrystal also gave President Barack Obama an option of sending more than 40,000 troops, the sources said, which could be politically risky given deep doubts among Obama’s fellow Democrats about the eight-year-old war.”
August 11, 2009: Karzai to invite Taliban to table if wins election
March 10, 2009: Taliban say Obama’s call on moderates “illogical”
March 7, 2009: Obama Ponders Outreach to Elements of Taliban
