Once the 'other' war, the American conflict in Afghanistan is now the nation's focus. The New York Times released a report last week declaring counter-insurgency, the strategy launched under President Bush and carried into today's administration, a failure in the eyes of high-ranking military officials and noting the military's move away from counter-insurgency towards targeted assassinations of Taliban leaders, adding to the voices implying concern with the current actions in Afghanistan and providing tangible evidence to back up Americans who are growing increasingly disenchanted with the war.
The Obama Administration already has a 2011 deadline to leave Afghanistan, and it seems as though they will stick to it. Yet, even as Americans become very anti-war, reports like a recent Newsweek cover featuring 'the girl with no nose', a young Afghan woman who had been legally maimed for leaving an arranged marriage, have raised concerns that have been growing for the future of people's rights- especially those of women- if America leaves now. Women in Afghanistan's lives have improved lately, but they are still so far from equality that it is inhumane. Considering the way the US has been involved in Afghanistan, America has a responsibility and a moral obligation to ensure the safety of and promote the equality of Afghan women.
So although America's time as a military presence in Afghanistan may be reaching its end, a heavy diplomatic influence can both secure America's national interests and safety as well as encourage progress for Afghan women's rights, especially if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acts as the face of America in Afghanistan. Ms. Clinton has a unique ability and opportunity to both pressure the Afghan government into providing and inspire the Afghan women to work for women's rights, along with the diplomatic tools she possesses to attempt to reduce violence against women, something the American military was never really able to do. If, as it seems with the rejection of counter-insurgency, the military is unable to to carry out the traditionally civilian roles of nation-building and education that counter-insurgency requires, then allow the State Department to take over operations in Afghanistan and act as a diplomatic force promoting equality and women's rights.
[Photo credit: The Guardian]
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“We must be wary of the steel vise in which many governments are slowly crushing civil society and the human spirit,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Georgia recently. As the United States has begun to engage more with Russia following the capture of the twelve accused Russian spies, eastern European nations have grown wary of the double-talk coming from the Administration about Russian actions. On June 24, President Obama met with Russian President Dmitri A. Medvedev in a 'hamburger summit' which the Georgian government took as a bad sign of relations to come.
Georgia, whose poor relations with Russia have been marked by the Russian occupation of Georgian territory, hopes to rely on the United States' sphere of influence-type control in the area to push back against Russian involvement. Georgia is still involved in regular skirmishes with Russian forces along the borders.
The double-edged rhetoric coming out of the Administration in terms of Russia is unfortunately similar to that used when discussing issues like Israel. While the US has always taken a shyly pro-Israel stance, American politicians are always quick to condemn any Israeli violence. However, any condemnation on the part of Americans means absolutely nothing unless it is echoed in talks with Israel and unless action is taken.
The same is true for Russia. While Americans may be hesitant to criticize Russia due to the long history of volatile relations, perhaps simply telling Georgians that the US is sympathetic is not enough. If the US wishes to continue to refer to itself as a beacon for human rights worldwide, then some actual standing up for human rights may be necessary. It is possible to both be allies with Russia and Israel while taking realistic action to suport Georgia or the Palestinians. Unfortunately, today the US says they do both, but leaves the struggling people of Georgia and the non-existant state of Palestine behind.
There is no 'quick fix' for standing up for human rights while being allied with nations who don't always do the same. But there is a middle ground that could be reached by America when it takes the role of the more impartial supporter of people in general as opposed to the agenda of a single country.
Pool photo by Irakli Gedenidze via the New York Times
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He was an inspired young candidate ready to make history and finally seal America's cultural divides forever, and become the bright leader of a 'post-racial' America. She was a feminist but an older figure, someone who had been on the political scene for longer; her candidacy did not have the same fresh feel as his, although she was doubtlessly more qualified. He won the primary.
The story of the 2008 Democratic primary- in fact, the story of the entire 2008 election- is one of ideology and political differences. However, the elections hinged more on the narratives brought forth by the various candidates. Senator John McCain attempted to make his narrative that of the patriotic war hero, willing to cross the aisle to do what was right for America, and to make Sarah Palin's tale that of a just-like-you working mom, facing the people's struggles as she raises a family in a modern America. Unfortunately for their campaign, McCain failed on both counts. Through his campaign-stopping antics and Palin's increasingly humiliating interviews, he managed to destroy his narrative in the eyes of the American people.
However, President Obama was able to present a narrative in which he emerged as the calm, cool, and collected, yet the fist-poundingly passionate leader of today. His story of humble beginnings resonated with the American voters, and, in the end, his narrative won out.
The midterm elections are now also a fight for narrative. If President Obama can once more achieve an image like he had during the 2008 campaign, he will be able to help ensure Democratic victory. However, if Republicans can refurbish their image to create a sympathetic narrative, the 2010 midterms will ravage the Democratic party.
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Hillary Clinton
"There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard. There cannot be true democracy unless women are given the opportunity to take responsibility for their own lives. There cannot be true democracy unless all citizens are able to participate fully in the lives of their country."
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The Obama Administration already has a 2011 deadline to leave Afghanistan, and it seems as though they will stick to it. Yet, even as Americans become very anti-war, reports like a recent Newsweek cover featuring 'the girl with no nose', a young Afghan woman who had been legally maimed for leaving an arranged marriage, have raised concerns that have been growing for the future of people's rights- especially those of women- if America leaves now. Women in Afghanistan's lives have improved lately, but they are still so far from equality that it is inhumane. Considering the way the US has been involved in Afghanistan, America has a responsibility and a moral obligation to ensure the safety of and promote the equality of Afghan women. 
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