Kerry Speaks About Afghanistan

Abdullah Abdullah has demanded the removal of the head of the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC), Azizullah Ludin, as well as the suspension of the ministers of Interior, Education, and Tribal Affairs. However, he did not specify what he would do if his demands are not met. Meanwhile, President Obama promised he will not rush the important decision of whether to send additional troops.

The debate over troop levels has proven contentious for the women’s movement in Afghanistan, as explained by Michelle Goldberg. Part of the President’s decision will certainly factor in the results of the runoff election, which John Hudson of the Atlantic Wire calls “doomed” (h/t Daily Kos). In a press release, the International Crisis Group worries that there is not enough “time, political will or resources available to correct the many flaws that led to fraud.” They call for a loya jirga or constitutional assembly because “anything less than vigorous constitutional and electoral reform will only fuel further conflict in Afghanistan.”

Jason Campbell, Michael E. O’Hanlon and Jeremy Shapiro discuss the difficulty in measuring progress in Afghanistan, given that the main objective is improving governance.  In response, David Kenner at Foreign Policy suggests several metrics of governance, as well as providing the metrics the Obama administration have defined.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) defined success as “the ability to empower and transfer responsibility to Afghans as rapidly as possible, and achieve a sufficient level of stability to ensure that we can leave behind an Afghanistan that is not controlled by al Qaeda or the Taliban.” According to Sen. Kerry, this goal “does not require us to build a flawless democracy. It does not require us to defeat the Taliban in every corner of the country, or create a modern economy. What we’re talking about is ‘good enough’ governance, basic sustainable development and Afghan security forces capable enough that we can draw down our own forces.” Towards this end, Sen. Kerry urged “we must strengthen the capacity of the Afghan government and insist that its leaders embrace lasting reforms.”

Senator Kerry also sat for an interview with The New Republic. No matter who wins the elections, Kerry argued “it’s going to be critical to work reforms into the government process and to make certain that we’re restoring people’s confidence that things can get done.” Discussing his recent meeting with President Karzai, Sen. Kerry affirmed the U.S. must “be very direct” with the Afghan president to ensure, if he is elected again, he will enact reforms as promised. Elaborating further, Kerry explained Karzai “really has a vision, he cares about the country enormously,” but he is often caught between competing interests.

Abdullah also gave an interview to Der Spiegel. He elucidated the main differences between himself and Karzai: “We have different ideas, different visions. He believes in a strong, centralized system, I believe in a parliamentary system.” Abdullah asserted the importance of an independent IEC as well as insisting he was not interesting in any power sharing arrangement. He also expressed appreciation that the United States did not choose a favorite candidate, but instead “stood by the process.” Abdullah commended General McChrystal’s strategy, but quipped “it takes two to tango,” suggesting that the Afghans must do their part as well. Towards that end, Afghanistan “needs good governance, which serves the people and which is accountable. We need elected governors, not appointed ones. We need to fight corruption.”