The Americans and Pakistanis have captured the Taliban’s top military commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. More proof that Dick Cheney’s right and Obama is soft on terrorism.
About The Author

BooMan
Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.
I’m going to be a PollyAnna here and believe that the crotch bomber gave them info that allowed them to get the courier on his way from Pakistan to Yemen which gave them the phone number of the Taliban commander. All because he was interrogated with a visit from his parents and some cookies.
Just had to say it.
No….not the oatmeal raisin…not AGAIN!!!!
out of everything that was said during the pundit shows on Sunday.
I have a feeling though, if bin Laden and Omar were picked up next week in that never-never-land in Pakistan, it still wouldn’t be enough for Cheney. He wouldn’t be able to see that it was game over.
But it sure would ensure a second term for Obama.
Clearly demonstrating that Cheney is out of the loop.
but…but…Obama can’t keep us safe.
Let’s Roll. 😉
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have been sharpened. Less “collateral” damage (civilians) and major successes. Cooperation with Pakistan has improved remarkably.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
The situation with drones also seems to have been changed by recognizing that some of the intel that the US was getting was from double agents who were deliberately targeting civilians.
Spencer Ackerman is worried that the Paks and US CIA might blow it by torturing Mullah Abdul Gani Baradar. If information is developed without torture, there might be the possibility of a political settlement to end the Taliban insurgency. Otherwise, that possibility is definitely foreclosed.
It is clear that one of the Bush-Cheney strategies was to foreclose any political settlement and to seek the mirage of “unconditional surrender”. Torturing prisoners served that purpose very well.
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THE Afghan Taliban’s military leader has been arrested in a crushing blow to morale and logistical support for insurgents fighting NATO forces in Afghanistan.
“Given the fact that (Baradar) is very close to Mullah Omar and one of the key Taliban leaders, this could be an attempt to, on the one hand, use him as a negotiator but on the other hand disrupt the leadership and force the Taliban to come to the negotiating table,” International Crisis Group chief Pakistan analyst Samina Ahmed said.
A GoA Reconciliation Policy in the Making
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
Interesting take on the Afghan operation.
Makes sense – if you view the government as illegitimate then you will view pretty much any action taken by that government as illegitimate, especially actions that look to bolster that government’s legitimacy.
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All together to save Karzai’s heroin business. Too much conspiracy, even for me. Of course, all events and reaction is about absolute power in Afghanistan. Opium farming.
A good sign in Badakhshan
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
This seems to go back to those counselling a pullout last summer because what was really going on was a tribal version of civil war.
Can’t help but think that in Afghanistan the form of communication depends on your economic status. The well funded Taliban leaders work off of cells, then translate to those on the ground (much like Fox) what’s going on as the villagers probably rely on word of mouth for their news.
Comments this morning reflected that the Taliban forces have been in disaray during the Marjah battle; that Osama and his crew are likely living on wheels again and looking over their shoulders; their communication systems all in doubt and of course their poppy crop funding going up in smoke. Good job Obama!
Comments from whom? Military propagandists?