David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Tuesday 13 October, 2009

Don't Try To Arrest The Sea

Its worth reading the article of the above name at smallwarsjournal.com by a serving Pakistan army major currently in the US on study leave. It's about Afghanistan and it's not a panacea - but it's got some useful corrective points to a lot of the debate.

Most important is that alongside military and civil effect, the two sides of the comprehensive approach, he stresses localisation of implementation. This was a theme of the PM's statement to parliament in December 2007 . And the idea of building up islands of protection, growth and service provision is evidenced in important districts of Helmand.

Posted at 12:23 13 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[4]

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David, Very interesting blog, I shall refer to it when writing my own material and look forward to future updates. Kind Regards, M Clarke

Posted by Malcolm Clarke on October 13, 2009 at 12:49 PM BST #

A very well argued case for ‘model district projects’ by Major Mehar Omar Khan in the above article. Will this now feature in the new strategy for Afghanistan discussed with Clinton at the weekend?

Posted by Percefal on October 14, 2009 at 01:08 AM BST #

Winning people through development initiatives is realistic in impoverished Afghanistan. The problem is addressing the cause of religion. It underlies a considerable array of convincing factors in favor of Taliban. States tend to reject negotiation with terrorists in resentment. It is inadequately tried and tested but worth trying to explore in order to find new grounds. If it is not possible to dry up the sea, try to catch the fish into new win-win solution and put it into a swimming pool or, well, into an aquarium where it will eventually be deprived to its natural brand Taliban and possibly re-discover itself to a new fish with new mindset. Killing off terrorists is an easy solution but not the problem-solving.

Posted by Chamila Liyanage on October 16, 2009 at 05:58 PM BST #

dear david, As an afghan citizen it is very much important for me to think about Afghanistan because it is crystal clear that neither afghan security forces nor international forces has the capability to make Afghanistan a stable and well-developed country without the help of locals. Because the deteriorating situation afraid the people. If someone comes out of his home in the morning does not know that either he will come home back or not. Since last couple of years Taliban backed by al-Qaeda getting strength and afghan populace are fade up of this bloody situation. But it is important for international community should understand the ground realities and find alternative make Afghanistan stable then leave since many countries are talking about withdrawal of their troops within couple of years International community present in Afghanistan not only fight Taliban but also win the hearts and minds of afghan populace. Another issue is of Afghanistan’s post election, since the election held everything has numbed here because of the election result. It is not important for Afghans that who is winner or loser but to find out how to get rid of Taliban insurgency, corruption, kidnapping for ransom and other difficulties which is being faced by every Afghan every day

Posted by Kazim A. Gulzari on October 17, 2009 at 09:42 PM BST #

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