NEW AFGHAN STRATEGY - AT 8:40 P.M. ET:  The president will unveil his new strategy for Afghanistan tomorrow.  We are hopeful that it will at least attempt some kind of victory, and not merely an exit strategy.  We are aware, of course, that a clear definition of "victory" may be difficult in these circumstances, but hints of weakness will never be helpful.  The Washington Times has a preview:

According to two U.S. government sources close to the issue, senior policymakers were divided over how comprehensive to make the strategy, involving an initial boost of 17,000 U.S. troops.

On the one side were Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg, who argued in closed-door meetings for a minimal strategy of stabilizing Afghanistan that one source described as a "lowest common denominator" approach...

...The other side of the debate was led by Richard C. Holbrooke, the special envoy for the region, who along with U.S. Central Command leader Gen. David H. Petraeus and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton fought for a major nation-building effort.

The Holbrooke-Petraeus-Clinton faction, according to the sources, prevailed. The result is expected to be a major, long-term military and civilian program to reinvent Afghanistan from one of the most backward, least developed nations to a relatively prosperous democratic state.

COMMENT:  Fascinating.  We'll wait for the president's announcement to see what the final shape is.  Struggle ahead.

March 26, 2009