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    <title><![CDATA[Afghanistan |Commentary | CIP RSS Feeds]]></title>
    <link>http://www.ciponline.orgresearch/commentary</link>
    <description>Articles, Letters, Op-eds, Policy Briefs, Testimony</description>
    <dc:language>en</dc:language>
    <dc:creator>jacob@ciponline.org</dc:creator>
    <dc:rights>Copyright 2012</dc:rights>
    <dc:date>2012-05-18T14:13:08+00:00</dc:date>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Vietnam and Afghanistan: The more things change&#8230;]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/vietnam-and-afghanistan-more-things-change</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/vietnam-and-afghanistan-more-things-change#When:13:37:34Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[  Two lengthy and devastating wars separated by three decades.   One fought in the jungles of Vietnam and one in the mountains and deserts of Afghanistan]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Win Without War, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2012-02-08T13:37:34+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[A Decade of Mistakes]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/afghanistan-decade-mistakes</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/afghanistan-decade-mistakes#When:11:48:20Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[CIP senior fellow Francesc Vendrell on the missed opportunities in Afghanistan]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Middle East, Afghanistan, Policy Research, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-12-03T11:48:20+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[How Do We End America’s Longest War?]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/how-do-we-end-americas-longest-war</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/how-do-we-end-americas-longest-war#When:11:52:57Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Mr. Hoh will discuss the current conditions in Afghanistan, the impact of President Obama’s withdrawal of U.S. forces over the next year and alternative options for the U.S. and international communities. ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Policy Research, Speech,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-08-26T11:52:57+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Simmering Discord in the Tribal Badlands]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/simmering-discord-in-the-tribal-badlands</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/simmering-discord-in-the-tribal-badlands#When:15:32:25Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The alarming growth of Al Qaeda and the Taliban in the Pashtun tribal region of northwest Pakistan and southern Afghanistan is usually attributed to the popularity of their messianic brand of Islam and to covert help from Pakistani intelligence agencies]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Policy Research, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-08-01T15:32:25+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Change Course in Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/change-course-in-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/change-course-in-afghanistan#When:10:53:57Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[A few weeks ago, President Obama outlined his strategy for Afghanistan, which included a drawdown of 10,000 troops by the end of this year and an additional 23,000 by the end of next year. ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Policy Research, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-07-20T10:53:57+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Should US Quicken Drawdown of Troops in Afghanistan?]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/should_us_quicken_drawdown_of_troops_in_afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/should_us_quicken_drawdown_of_troops_in_afghanistan#When:14:20:26Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[As he was announcing his second increase in troops for Afghanistan in December 2009, President Barack Obama ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Advocacy, Policy Research, Transparency & Accountability, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-06-29T14:20:26+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Our Plan Has Not Worked in Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/our_plan_has_not_worked_in_afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/our_plan_has_not_worked_in_afghanistan#When:15:06:23Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[As he was announcing his second increase in troops for Afghanistan in December 2009, President Obama promised ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Advocacy, Policy Research, Transparency & Accountability, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-06-22T15:06:23+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Measuring Quick Sand]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/measuring_quick_sand</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/measuring_quick_sand#When:15:39:56Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[In the Autumn of 2006, in the western part of Iraq's Anbar Province, US Marine and Army units were taking]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Advocacy, Policy Research, Transparency & Accountability, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-06-09T15:39:56+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Like the Iraq and Afghanistan wars? You&#8217;ll LOVE this!]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/like_the_iraq_and_afghanistan_wars_youll_love_this</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/like_the_iraq_and_afghanistan_wars_youll_love_this#When:11:04:00Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[If you like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan then you’ll love what Senator John McCain and Congressman ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Win Without War, Middle East, Afghanistan, Advocacy, Policy Research, Transparency & Accountability, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-04-28T11:04:00+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Libyan Intervention Started a Dialogue About Military Spending]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/libyan_intervention_started_dialogue_about_military_spending</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/libyan_intervention_started_dialogue_about_military_spending#When:13:46:54Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Congress, the media, and the public are rightly asking whether America should be spending $1 billion or ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Arms & Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa, Advocacy, Policy Research, Transparency & Accountability, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-04-07T13:46:54+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[America&#8217;s Costliest War]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/americas_costliest_war</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/americas_costliest_war#When:14:43:56Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Congress, the media, and the public are rightly asking whether America should be spending $1 billion or more]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Arms & Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa, Advocacy, Policy Research, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-04-05T14:43:56+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[#Winning in Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/winning_in_afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/winning_in_afghanistan#When:16:40:12Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[General David Petraeus is in Washington, D.C., this week and, as expected, we are hearing claims of success ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Advocacy, Policy Research, Transparency & Accountability, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-03-16T16:40:12+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[America Builds Pashtunistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/america-builds-pashtunistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/america-builds-pashtunistan#When:08:40:05Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Pressures to stop drone attacks on suspected terrorist hideouts in the tribal border regions of Pakistan focus properly ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Advocacy, Policy Research, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-02-28T08:40:05+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Memorial to Purposelessness]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/memorial-to-purposelessness</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/memorial-to-purposelessness#When:09:09:13Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[This week marks the one-year anniversary of the US military offensive into Marjah in Helmand Province in southern]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Arms & Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Advocacy, Policy Research, Transparency & Accountability, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-02-16T09:09:13+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Letter from A Serviceman in Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/letter-from-a-serviceman-in-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/letter-from-a-serviceman-in-afghanistan#When:10:50:59Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The below is an email I received last week from a friend of mine in the Army on his second combat deployment to Afghanistan. In addition to his two Afghan deployments, he has fought for our country in both Iraq wars.
]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Arms & Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-01-12T10:50:59+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[In 2011 Remember the Wounded]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/in-2011-remember-the-wounded</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/in-2011-remember-the-wounded#When:11:01:31Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[While the numbers of Americans killed in service in Afghanistan are often reported, the numbers of the wounded are under-reported
]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Arms & Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-01-06T11:01:31+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Perhaps a Good Step in Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/perhaps-a-good-step-in-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/perhaps-a-good-step-in-afghanistan#When:10:59:52Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[At this time details are limited, so it is impossible to know the particulars or the underpinnings of the deal, but there are a few reasons to be optimistic.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Advocacy, Policy Research, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2011-01-05T10:59:52+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Panetta and Obama Gut CIA Oversight]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/panetta-and-obama-gut-cia-oversight</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/panetta-and-obama-gut-cia-oversight#When:15:57:24Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama and CIA Director Leon Panetta have managed to accomplish what the Bush administration and three CIA directors failed to do over a five-year period ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-11-29T15:57:24+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[It is Much Easier to Proclaim Progress than Conduct Oversight]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/much-easier-to-proclaim-progress-than-conduct-oversight</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/much-easier-to-proclaim-progress-than-conduct-oversight#When:21:46:55Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[When we launched the Afghanistan Study Group project and presented our first report in September, I read the following quote from one of America's commanding generals ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-11-23T21:46:55+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Veterans&#8217; Trust Fund]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/the-veterans-trust-fund</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/the-veterans-trust-fund#When:08:17:55Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[What are you doing on Veterans Day? Taking the day off? Sleeping in? Catching a parade? Going shopping? How about taking five minutes to make a difference in the lives 
]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Win Without War, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-11-11T08:17:55+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[U.S. Still in Afghanistan in 2014? Obama Say it Ain&#8217;t So!]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/us-still-in-afghanistan-2014-obama-say-it-aint-so</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/us-still-in-afghanistan-2014-obama-say-it-aint-so#When:20:42:52Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[If the administration decides to continue the current strategy through 2014, it would directly contradict President Obama's own directive, which states that there should be an "accelerated transition to Afghan authorities beginning in July 2011" ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-11-10T20:42:52+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Wartime Interagency Collaboration: A Tale of Two Articles]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/wartime-interagency-collaboration-a-tale-of-two-articles</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/wartime-interagency-collaboration-a-tale-of-two-articles#When:18:51:57Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[From November 2002 to April 2004 I was the junior Marine officer on the personal staff of the Secretary of the Navy. My duties primarily related to correspondence]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-11-09T18:51:57+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[110 Months in Afghanistan: How Do You Say Hubris in Russian?]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/how-do-you-say-hubris-in-russian</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/how-do-you-say-hubris-in-russian#When:08:12:58Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[In a few weeks the US will mark its 110th month of combat operations in Afghanistan -- the same length of time as the Soviet Union's own military presence in that country.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Europe & Russia, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-11-08T08:12:58+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Midterms and the Role of Domestic Politics in Foreign Policy]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/midterms-and-role-of-domestic-politics-in-foreign-policy</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/midterms-and-role-of-domestic-politics-in-foreign-policy#When:01:51:37Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[By the time this is posted the polls for America's 2010 midterm elections will have closed. This year's midterm elections bore many similarities to our nation's last midterm ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-11-03T01:51:37+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Reconciliation and Women&#8217;s Rights in Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/reconciliation-and-womens-rights-in-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/reconciliation-and-womens-rights-in-afghanistan#When:12:42:33Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[I had the pleasure last week of being interviewed alongside noted author and human rights advocate Ann Jones. The conversation focused on the reports of negotiations]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-10-27T12:42:33+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Cautious Optimism for Talks in Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/cautious-optimism-for-talks-in-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/cautious-optimism-for-talks-in-afghanistan#When:12:02:18Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Yesterday's reports by the New York Times and the Associated Press provide a few reasons for cautious optimism that US policy may be shifting towards a more sensible]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-10-21T12:02:18+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Uses and Misuses of Intelligence in Four US Wars]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/the-uses-and-misuses-of-intelligence-in-four-us-wars</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/the-uses-and-misuses-of-intelligence-in-four-us-wars#When:17:17:52Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[President Harry S. Truman created the Central Intelligence Agency in 1947 to ensure that the policy community would have access to independent intelligence analysis ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-10-15T17:17:52+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Bob Woodward&#8217;s &#8220;Obama&#8217;s Wars&#8221; and the Importance of Reportage]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/obamas-wars-and-importance-of-reportage</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/obamas-wars-and-importance-of-reportage#When:12:41:13Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Bob Woodward's "Obama's Wars" offers a disturbing account of President Barack Obama's lack of leadership and the flawed decision-making practices of his national security team.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-10-06T12:41:13+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[How to Leave Afghanistan Without Losing]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/how-to-leave-afghanistan-without-losing</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/how-to-leave-afghanistan-without-losing#When:12:40:41Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[As prospects for an early U.S.-NATO military victory in Afghanistan fade and pressures for the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces grow, the ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Asia, Middle East, Afghanistan, Advocacy, Policy Research, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-08-25T12:40:41+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Obama&#8217;s Bungled Military Strategies - Part III]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/obamas-bungled-military-strategies-part-iii</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/obamas-bungled-military-strategies-part-iii#When:16:47:58Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama inherited a difficult national security situation — wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; an exaggerated and counterproductive war on terror ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-07-08T16:47:58+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[A Smart Pashtun Play: Why Washington Should Back Karzai]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/why-washington-should-back-karzai</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/why-washington-should-back-karzai#When:20:00:17Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[While the U.S. struggles to get its act together in Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai, widely ridiculed as corrupt and ineffectual, is consolidating his power ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-07-05T20:00:17+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Pentagon Threat to the Republic]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/pentagon-threat-to-the-republic</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/pentagon-threat-to-the-republic#When:13:28:43Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The New York Times' David Brooks minimized General Stanley McChrystal's remarks in Rolling Stone magazine as "kvetching."]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-06-28T13:28:43+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Pentagon&#8217;s Threat to the Republic]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/the-pentagons-threat-to-the-republic</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/the-pentagons-threat-to-the-republic#When:10:52:20Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The New York Times' David Brooks minimized General Stanley McChrystal's remarks in Rolling Stone magazine as "kvetching." For the Times' Maureen Dowd, McChrystal ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-06-28T10:52:20+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Too Much Bang, Bang: The Need to Demilitarize US National Security]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/need-to-demilitarize-us-national-security</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/need-to-demilitarize-us-national-security#When:15:32:36Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Secretary of Defense Robert Gates gave a provocative and even dangerous speech at the National Defense University (NDU) last week]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Americas, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2010-03-17T15:32:36+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[How to Exit Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/how-to-exit-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/how-to-exit-afghanistan#When:12:57:59Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[With the Taliban growing steadily stronger, 30,000 more US troops will not lead to the early disengagement from the Afghan quagmire envisaged by President Obama]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Advocacy, Policy Research, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-12-22T12:57:59+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[High Noon in the White House]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/high-noon-in-the-white-house</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/high-noon-in-the-white-house#When:14:14:07Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama noted last week after accepting the Nobel Peace Prize that the United States]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-12-14T14:14:07+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Logistical Nightmares May Doom U.S. Surge in Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/logistical-nightmares-may-doom-us-surge-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/logistical-nightmares-may-doom-us-surge-afghanistan#When:14:20:13Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Logistics will be the key to introducing 30,000 soldiers and Marines into Afghanistan in the next six to seven months]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-12-08T14:20:13+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Strategy and Logistics in Afghanistan: Flawed Thinking]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/strategy-and-logistics-in-afghanistan-flawed-thinking</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/strategy-and-logistics-in-afghanistan-flawed-thinking#When:14:24:27Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Logistics will be the key to introducing 30,000 soldiers and Marines into Afghanistan in the next six to seven months]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-12-04T14:24:27+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Remarks by Selig Harrison, Director, Asia Program, Center for International Policy]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/remarks-by-selig-harrison-director-asia-program-center-for-international</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/remarks-by-selig-harrison-director-asia-program-center-for-international#When:14:41:03Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Scripture for me on the subject of Pakistan is an important book called the Shadow of the Great Game: the Untold Story of India’s Partition, by Narendra Singh Sarila, a retired Indian diplomat who was the ADC to Mountbatten.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Speech,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-11-21T14:41:03+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[From Kabul to Kashmir]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/from-kabul-to-kashmir</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/from-kabul-to-kashmir#When:15:20:55Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[By all rights, the United States and India should be bound together by the shared tragedies of 9/11 and last year's terrorist attacks in Mumbai]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-11-13T15:20:55+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Obama&#8217;s Choices in the Afghan War]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/obamas-choices-in-the-afghan-war</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/obamas-choices-in-the-afghan-war#When:16:34:10Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The issue is not whether President Obama is stubborn enough to stick to an earlier ill-advised judgment that the United States]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Afghanistan Study Group, Middle East, Afghanistan, Letter,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-10-30T16:34:10+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Washington Post Creates Its Own Facts to Support Afghan Nation-Building]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/washington-post-creates-own-facts-to-support-afghan-nation-building</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/washington-post-creates-own-facts-to-support-afghan-nation-building#When:16:50:37Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The Washington Post is creating its own facts in order to support its argument for US nation-building in Afghanistan]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-10-22T16:50:37+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Ethnic Split]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/the-ethnic-split</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/the-ethnic-split#When:16:52:46Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Alexander the Great, the British Raj and the Red Army all learned the hard way that the Pashtuns, Afghanistan's largest and historically dominant ethnic group]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-10-21T16:52:46+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Overcoming Our Failed Strategy Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/overcoming-our-failed-strategy-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/overcoming-our-failed-strategy-afghanistan#When:16:57:32Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[THE KEY to getting out of Afghanistan without turning Kabul over to the Taliban lies in replacing the failed US “Af-Pak’’ strategy with a new regional approach]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-10-12T16:57:32+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Prospect of Change in US Relations with Russia, Iran and Afghanistan Alarms the Washington Post]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/prospect-of-change-in-relations-with-russia-iran-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/prospect-of-change-in-relations-with-russia-iran-afghanistan#When:17:00:34Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The Washington Post is running scared these days with its editorial writers having great difficulty coming to terms with the possibility of improved US relations]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Europe & Russia, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-10-09T17:00:34+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Five Myths on Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/five-myths-on-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/five-myths-on-afghanistan#When:16:59:16Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama is entering a crucial decision-making phase on Afghanistan at a time when geopolitical mythology is dominating the debate]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-10-02T16:59:16+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Two More Obstacles to Intelligence Reform]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/two-more-obstacles-to-intelligence-reform</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/two-more-obstacles-to-intelligence-reform#When:15:15:46Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The appointment of former Central Intelligence Agency director Michael Hayden to the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) and former senator Warren Rudman ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-09-10T15:15:46+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Déjà Vu All Over Again: The Media Beats the War Drums for Afghanistan]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/media-beats-the-war-drums-for-afghanistan</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/media-beats-the-war-drums-for-afghanistan#When:15:18:30Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama is currently facing the most two important decisions of his young presidency. On Wednesday, we will learn whether he has the intestinal fortitude ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-09-08T15:18:30+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Afghanistan&#8217;s Tyranny of the Minority]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/afghanistans-tyranny-of-the-minority</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/afghanistans-tyranny-of-the-minority#When:14:49:27Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[AS the debate intensifies within the Obama administration over how to stabilize Afghanistan, one major problem is conspicuously missing from the discussion: the growing alienation of the country’s largest ethnic group, the Pashtun tribes, who make up an estimated 42 percent of the population of 33 million]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Asia, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-08-16T14:49:27+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[President Obama&#8217;s Briar Patch]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/president-obamas-briar-patch</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/president-obamas-briar-patch#When:11:24:21Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Alexander the Great couldn’t do; Queen Victoria couldn’t do it; three successive Soviet general-secretaries from 1979 to 1985 couldn’t do it. Both his writings and his first two months in office indicate that President Obama is a man of great confidence and persistence.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2009-03-29T11:24:21+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Pressuring Pakistan to Curb the Taliban]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/pressuring-pakistan-to-curb-the-taliban</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/pressuring-pakistan-to-curb-the-taliban#When:16:05:45Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Despite growing evidence of Pakistani support for the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, the Bush ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Advocacy, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2008-02-19T16:05:45+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Iran is America&#8217;s Best Hope for Stability in the Gulf]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/iran-is-americas-best-hope-for-stability-in-the-gulf</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/iran-is-americas-best-hope-for-stability-in-the-gulf#When:15:35:58Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[Iran is ready to help the US stabilise both Iraq and Afghanistan, but only for a price]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Policy Research,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2007-06-20T15:35:58+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Discarding an Afghan Opportunity]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/discarding-an-afghan-opportunity</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/discarding-an-afghan-opportunity#When:14:43:17Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The British Raj learned the hard way a century ago that the Pashtuns, Afghanistan's largest and historically dominant ethnic group, will unite to fight a foreign occupation force simply because it is foreign. ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Policy Research, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2007-01-30T14:43:17+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Pakistan&#8217;s Costly &#8216;Other War&#8217;]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/pakistans-costly-other-war</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/pakistans-costly-other-war#When:16:03:38Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The usual explanation for Pakistan's failure to go all-out against al Qaeda and Taliban forces along the Afghan frontier is that Gen. Pervez Musharraf's armed forces and intelligence services are riddled with Islamic extremists.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, Arms & Security Project, Asia Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Policy Research, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2006-02-15T16:03:38+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Follow the Pipeline]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/follow-the-pipeline</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/follow-the-pipeline#When:14:18:46Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The recent presidential campaign revolved around many issues, but the elephant in the room -- the prospect of wars without end to maintain U.S. control of the world's oil supply -- was ignored.]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Middle East, Afghanistan, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2004-12-28T14:18:46+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Militarization of U.S. Foreign Policy]]></title>
      <link>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/militarization-us-foreign-policy</link>
      <guid>http://www.ciponline.org/research/entry/militarization-us-foreign-policy#When:14:48:53Z</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[The fall of the Soviet Union handed the U.S. a unique opportunity, as the surviving superpower, to lead the world toward a period of greater cooperation ]]></description>
      <dc:subject><![CDATA[Common Defense Campaign, National Security Project, Middle East, Afghanistan, Transparency & Accountability, Article,]]></dc:subject>
      <dc:date>2004-02-19T14:48:53+00:00</dc:date>
    </item>



    
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