Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Obama Faces Consequences of Afghan Summary Executions


An U.S. air strike killed a Afghan Red Crescent worker and 13 members of his family. They sought shelter in a home from fighting in the region. Villagers put the death toll at 70-100.

Tension between the Obama team and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai is the subject of a WaPo piece. This is a bad sign for America's #1 overseas contingency operation. But they get to talk it over as Karzai visits the White House. Hillary Clinton took the punches for her boss:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today expressed deep regret for civilian casualties caused by U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan, telling the visiting Afghan and Pakistani presidents that the United States will work hard to "avoid the loss of innocent civilian life."

That's a familiar refrain, almost as common as the exhortation for Israel to rein in settlements. Pay attention folks. Common words are a diversion.

Appearing before reporters at the State Department with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Clinton pledged that the United States would make "an all-government effort" to promote peace and stability in both countries.

"We have made this common cause because we face a common threat," Clinton said. "And we have a common task and a common challenge. We know that each of your countries is struggling with the extremists who would destabilize and undermine democracy."


Never mind allies who destabilize and undermine democracy with summary executions.

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