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Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:00 AM

Obama is saying the wrong things about Afghanistan

He hit the right notes during his swing through Iraq, but his plans for that other war could mean trouble.

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  • Tuesday, July 22, 2008 07:06 PM

    Not as big of threat as it may sound

    I greatly suspect that Sen. Obama's comments on military action upon receiving "high-level intelligence" on Osama bin Laden's whereabouts are mainly for political consumption back home. Not that the Afghanistan/Pakistan theater would not be his main focus -- he's been clear about that for some time -- but what action he takes is likely to be more supple than has traditionally been American policy (particularly contrasting with the Bush Administration's shoot-before-asking approach).

    It would probably be best for all concerned if Sen. Obama didn't rattle sabers in that direction, especially when it comes to a question of the Pakistani sovereignty (especially in the isolated North West region), but he's approaching the heart of an election in which U.S. politicians who appear to "soft" allow the fear card to be played against them. That Sen. Obama has yet to find the best tone for his policy is clear -- it is in this regard where his inexperience shows most greatly -- but he promises overall a more nuanced policy.

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