The seemingly contradictory messages, in communiques and agreements to be released at NATO’s upcoming summit in Lisbon, are intended to reassure U.S. and European audiences that the process of ending the war has begun.
At the same time, the coalition wants to signal to the Taliban – along with Afghans and regional partners who fear a coalition withdrawal, and Republicans in Congress who oppose it – that they are not leaving anytime soon.
“We have to assemble a coherent narrative . . . that everyone buys into,” said a senior administration official, one of several who discussed ongoing alliance negotiations on the condition of anonymity.
Gosh, I am sure that the soldiers fighting and dying in Afghanistan are really appreciative that these folks are trying “to assemble a coherent narrative” while they take fire without being allowed to use their most effective weapons to fight back as they die under this administration’s Rules of Engagement. Why, that might just be a substitute for victory…whatever that is. I guess that just making it home alive will be their victory. For a second there, I thought there might have been a cause – some higher purpose – that would justify the sacrifice of their lives and the expenditure of our treasure. I suppose that “a coherent narrative” will have to do. Hey, has anybody seen the grownups?