Friday, February 19, 2010

U.S. Involves Afghan President Karzai in Offensive Against Taliban in Marjah - WSJ.com

U.S. Involves Afghan President Karzai in Offensive Against Taliban in Marjah - WSJ.com: "By giving Mr. Karzai responsibility over key elements of the campaign, Western officials are hoping he will seize the battlefield advantage given to him by the arrival of thousands of fresh American troops and turn it into a chance to re-establish his government's—and his own—credibility.
Besides being given the last word on the Marjah offensive, Mr. Karzai has been briefed repeatedly on the battle plans, meeting frequently with Gen. McChrystal and speaking often with senior officials from Washington, including National Security Adviser James Jones, according to Afghan and U.S. officials.
'We want to make him own this. What we need is to make him into a Winston Churchill who can rally his people,' said one person involved in the effort. Mr. Karzai, through spokesmen, declined repeated requests for comment."