The Full(er) Truth Posted by Michael Cohen

Ever since General Peter Fuller made some rather impolitic remarks complaining about Hamid Karzai's lack of appreciation for the US sacrifice in Afghanistan and for being "isolated from reality" there has been a feisty debate about whether he deserved to get fired and what it means for US policy in the region.

Let's get things out of the way early: Fuller made politically tone deaf comments that made it largely impossible for him to keep doing his job effectively. It was almost certainly the best move for General Allen to relieve him.

Nonetheless, Fuller has committed what I would call a "Kinsley gaffe" - in short he screwed up because he actually told the truth about the incompetence and duplicity of the Karzai regime and their unique incompatablity as a partner for the United States. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Fuller (or believe he is or isn't telling the truth) there can be little doubt that what he said reflects a dominant view held in both the US military and the civilian leadership.

One of the things that should have been obvious for quite some time in Afghanistan is that what we want Hamid Karzai to do in support of our counter-insurgency efforts simply is not possible. He is unable to deal with corruption in his midst; he is unable to sustain an Afghan government capable of providing basic services to the Afghan people; and he is unable to be an effective ally for the United States. And not only is he unable to do these things, it seems fairly obvious that he doesn't want to do them.

Fuller was wrong in the context of his job to say what he did - but any person who has followed what is happening in Afghanistan would understand that the basic tenor of Fuller's comment are correct. And as Carl Prine nicely points out, Fuller's mistake was refusing to tow the party line that obfuscates Karzai's limitations and their impact on the US mission in Afghanistan. 

For two years now the US military has been collectively presenting to the American people a sanitized and misleading story about what is happening in Afghanistan. Indeed, back in September Fernando Lujan, a Special Forces major in the US Army, published 800 words of empty platitudes, meaningless anecdotes and hoary calls to arms in the New York Times that told the American people the war in Afghanistan "can still be won." I'm willing to bet that if you privately asked most fighting men and women in Afghanistan if they believe this to be true they'd laugh in your face.

But my guess is that Lujan got a pat on the back for his op-ed glossing over the enormous challenges facing the US mission in Afghanistan with a feel-good story about American resilience. Fuller was honest about the challenges that he is facing in preparing the Afghan Army to take over security responsibilities and he got cashiered. Maybe it was right to let him go, but there's something very wrong with this picture.

My good friend Josh Foust argues that there was a simple solution for Fuller . . he simply could have said nothing or refused to answer the question directly. Of course this is true; but I find it to be something of a strange response - particularly from someone who understands all too well the extent to which the military is blatantly misleading the American people about the war in Afghanistan. (And it's not just the military; here's US Ambassador Ryan Crocker explaining that the US needs to be in Afghanistan because "this is where 9/11 came from.")

At what point does omission of the truth become just another form of lying? What is the message being sent by Fuller's canning (even if it was legitimate): that the US military must be complicit in a collective snow job about the war in Afghanistan?

In the end, it's hard to disagree with the view that Fuller deserved to be fired from a basic civil-military perspective. Still, perhaps the appropriate reaction to his dismissal should not be criticism of him for denigrating the tender sensibiliities of the Afghan government and Hamid Karzai (a leader who has no problem regularly denigrating the sacrifice of US troops that are dying and being maimed on behalf of his government) but rather bewilderment that publicly expressing the sentiments of the lion's share of US military and civilian policymakers dealing with Afghanistan is a fireable offense.

American blood and treasure is being expended on behalf of Hamid Karzai's regime (which in of itself is ridiculous) and yet somehow those in charge of this war must keep quiet about what an incompetent and useless leader he is. 

It's a lovely war, ain't it.

Comments

[Cheap jerseys wholesale]

Very good stuff you may have there, I will be back for a lot more reading quickly.

[Microsoft Office 2010 Professional Plus Key]

Your article is very uesful to me and help me solve a big problem. I appreciate you very much. But i have some problem of understand the last paragraph. Can you say some details for me? 　xzq

[hogan scarpe]

thank you for your nice post,i am appriciate it

[directory submission]

Gen. Fuller's comments caused a bit of a stir, and on Friday General John Allen, the commander of ISAF forces in Afghanistan, fired him. In the five days since, a debate has erupted over whether Gen. Allen was correct in doing so, and whether Gen. Fuller is, in a sense, being punished for, as his supporters say, "telling the truth."

[Nike Heels]

Good article, a see will attract people, so the article need not see know very well.

[Discount Pandora Jewelry]

I like what you have done here. Mostly i like the part where you say you are doing this to give back and looking at all the comments it seems that this is working for you as well. 　xzq

[Ugg Boots Sale]

Such a nice post this is! Thanks for your sharing with us~!

[Winding Up Petition]

If you have been issued with a winding up petition for your company because the company owes money. You can pay the money owed before the court date and get the case droped or fight it if you believe it to be worth defending.

[Air Max]

The nomination of the winner depends on the capability and spirit of the personality to finish the race.I like the post very much as it contain informative in knowledge.I like pics of Chelsea shares of the beauty of running in Madison, Wisconsin.I want to congratulate the winner for the nomination race.I want to know suggestion from others.!!

[معهد]

thanks for you >>
i well visit you again >>
Regred feom : ديليجنت

[tattoo ink]

Took me awhile to read all the comments, but I really love the article. It proved to be very useful to me

[Spyder Jackets]

Spyder Jackets are more responsive, deeply sprung ceramic plates that heat up even faster.Spyder Ski Jackets is safety features including automatic shut off after 15 minutes of inactivity and a shiver feature that prevents moisture damaging your Mammut Jacket irons when they have been left in a cold spot overnight. There are tons of jacket manufacturers, but in the realm of performance, everything counts. Mens Spyder Suits has a history as long as 30 year/s, and continuously focuses on every detail in enegineering superior jackets and ski wear. Womens Mammut Jackets doesn't stand against cold weather alone, the brand is also stand for fashion and functionality. Now Womens Spyder Ski Gloves has served Olympic for over 15 years.Welcome to Belstaff Bag uk online shop --the best online Belstaff Bags outlet,offering good quality Belstaff Bag 551,Belstaff Bag 561,Belstaff Bag 556 products here. All items are free shipping here with short delivery time. Got fashion items from the Belstaff Shoulder Bags website,you can save much time and money,while give you the best experience sporting outdoor! Come on and select the best Belstaff Bags 551 and Belstaff Bags 554 now, you will like them... very cool and it is no doubt that they the first choice if you like to outdoor.

[Air Max Shoes]

The nomination of the winner depends on the capability and spirit of the personality to finish the race.I like the post very much as it contain informative in knowledge.I like pics of Chelsea shares of the beauty of running in Madison, Wisconsin.I want to congratulate the winner for the nomination race.I want to know suggestion from others.

[Jeremy Scott Shoes]

I'd have to give green light with you on this. Which is not something I usually do! I love reading a post that will make people think .
Also, thanks for allowing me to speak my mind!

[dr dre beats headphones]

Obama, since his first day in office - has been actively trying to restore US engagement and influence in Asia, especially in Southeast Asia

[アグ]

【my-lady.jp】のアグ ブーツはキッズも、レディースも、メンズもよくぴったり新作はいよい よ入荷中...UGG ムートンブーツ,UGG ブーツは通販激安ing…phoenixzon.com

[モンクレール]

rakanet.comモンクレール 新作 2011 登場，当サイトMonclers.jpが激安な価格で男女共に人気のジャケットなどを販売しておりますジャケット通販激安，それに品質もよい、ご来店をお待ちしております

[moncler]

モンクレール通販の専門店モンクレール販売店です。品質が完璧、値段が激安、いろんなサイズが揃って、最も多様な選択空間を提供いたしており、お客様に気楽なショッピングを享受させるだけでなく、より美しく暖かい冬を過ごせます。Monclermaya.jp

[モンクレール ダウン]

楽しめる！Monclerxx.comは最新UGG、クリスチャンルブタン、モンクレール等を通販専門サイトです．豊富な品揃え格安価格で販売しています．

[アグブーツ]

ugg Australia2011最新作、最高品質、激安のUGGブーツ販売店舗です。50％ 割り引きしました。主なレディースuggクラシックアグブーツを販売しています。UGGブーツは冬の必要荷物、私たちはUGG激安、人気なUGGアグブーツを提供するugg正規品店舗。Jpgoodsugg.com

[モンクレール ダウン]

Moncler/モンクレールダウン新作を激安通販中です。モンクレール ダウン等今年秋冬日本未発売の商品が多数販売中.全国送料無料！Monclercit.com

[モンクレール]

モンクレール 新作 2011 登場，当サイトMonclerss.netが激安な価格で男女共に人気のジャケットなどを販売しておりますジャケット通販激安，それに品質もよい、ご来店をお待ちしております

[モンクレール]

モンクレール ダウン 新作 2012 登場,当サイトFashionsmonclers.comが激安な価格で男女共に 人気の ジャケットなどを販売しておりますジャケット通販激安，それに品質もよい、ご 来店を お待ちしております.モンクレール人気激安通販専門サイト!

[モンクレール]

Moncler専門店モンクレール販売店です。moncler(モンクレール)品質が 完璧、値段が激安で提供いたします、より美しく暖かい冬を過ごせます。Moncler-s.com

[アグ]

ugg(アグ)ブーツ専門店UGGブーツ販売店です。ugg、UGGブーツ、アグブーツ品質が 完璧、値段が激安で提供いたします、より美しく暖かい冬を過ごせます。Shineugg.com

[snapback hats wholesale]

It is nice to know this. Thanks for the time and effort. It is well appreciated. More to come.

[Paul Smith]

Merci beaucoup pour votre article.

[nike heels dunk]

Want to take a man's heart, at first start from the feet.Nike NIke Heels to increase your charm。

[snapbacks wholesale]

great information you write it very clean. I am very lucky to get this tips from you.

[air max 2011 shoes]

The newest nike air max 2012 shoes are supplier for you

[Mens Uggs]

You'd believe he lived inside a health and fitness center

[Best Buy Credit Card]

nice post, thanks for share!

[Nike Air Max]

mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I'm more of a visual learner,I found that to be more helpful.