The London Conference: Watch This Space

By Lt Col P

The elite will meet in about three weeks in London to discuss Afghanistan, and the way ahead.

"The Prime Minister, who announced the London Conference at a press conference with UN Secretary-General [and internationally recognized idiot] Ban Ki-moon on 28 November, said the purpose of the conference is to 'drive forward our campaign in Afghanistan, to match the increase in military forces with an increased political momentum, to focus the international community on a clear set of priorities across the 43-nation coalition and marshal the maximum international effort to help the Afghan government deliver'."

Hidden in those last five words is monumental significance. The GIRoA has got to do what it hasn't been doing well (or at all) for the last few years. The good news is that it *can* do better; the bad news could be that the international community could very well lose patience. If we're all facing these same mushkilot this time next year, that'll be a very bad sign. If however we can collectively get things moving in the right direction, then the situation will be much different. Either way, the next twelve months will tell.

I believe that behind closed doors, Mr Karzai will have some explaining to do. Stay tuned.

January 8, 2010 11:03 PM Afghanistan ~ One Team One Fight