By It looks like the Obama administration despite the campaign rhetoric is finding it just as hard to get allied troop increases in Afghanistan as the Bush administration did:
The government has decided to increase medical support in Afghanistan from 24 to about 100 staff and will make the offer when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits here on Feb. 19-20.
It is also considering ways of deploying them in locations other than the Bagram Air Base for American troops in the province of Parwan, where they are currently based.
The medics were dispatched there after military medical and engineering unit were pulled out in December 2007. The team consists of 12 civilian medical staff, four military medical staff, five police officers, and Foreign Ministry officials.
An official said the government decided to increase medical staff to 50 this year and dispatch 20 to 30 civilian vocational trainers, and about 20 police and firefighting trainers. “Government agencies concerned are now fine-tuning a budget allocation and selection of members,” he added.
Senior officials of the Obama administration are urging U.S. allies to increase contributions to Afghanistan’s reconstruction. The government expects that the policy will help Korea avoid dispatch of fresh combat troops, a heavy political burden for the country. [Chosun Ilbo]
This is a token contribution from Korea just to save face with the Obama administration. As you all know I have not wanted Korea to send troops to Afghanistan so I am actually happy to see the token effort here.
The Obama administration was shot down this week by both Germany and France when asked to increase troops in Afghanistan as well.
Since Hillary is having such a hard time finding allies to send soldiers to Afghanistan, I guess she can always ask North Korea for a troop increase instead?
11:14 am on February 11th, 2009 1
The item with France and German should stand out a good bit.
Both were the biggest obstructionists to Iraq War II – France in particular going out of its way to rally support against the US. France too is the most listened to voice of power against US policy and position in the world – and has been for some time.
And an Obama presidency hasn't so far changed that.
To me, this is significant as well in light of Bosnia-Kosovo: The US stepped up there and got involved in a major way after years of reluctance, because it was a mainly European-centered crisis. It was their concern they wanted the US to take the lead in – and we eventually did.
But, that did not stop them from openly working against Iraq War II.
And now with a supposedly sympathetic White House, they still will not stick their neck out to far to help the US in Afghanistan — and they have been vocal about the protectionism in the Stimulus Bill.
I don't really mind what France and Germany are doing now. I think they should help out in Afghanistan after the US stepped up in Bosnia-Kosovo, but they are going to act in what they see as their national interests.
I just wish the intellectuals and pseudo-intellectuals in the US – especially in the press – would understand that fact and stop with the rhetoric about "liking" or not liking us. For 8 years we had to listen to the simplistic bs about how Bush had created "enemies" around the world and for the last two years about how Obama would reverse all of that.
Internationally – good and ill will is based on national interests. Not personality.
2:22 pm on February 11th, 2009 2
As a non-American, I really get bothered how the rest of the world always blames the U.S. What countries are actually "good citizens"? Most countries are mired in poverty, corruption or tyranny. European countries continue to benefit from the stability and protection that America provides. It always feels like the "we'll take your money but you're not really welcome here" attitude that so many countries take. America should focus more on its real allies and leave some of the others to their own devices.
3:05 pm on February 11th, 2009 3
As long as they don't send any more Christian tourists.
7:28 pm on February 11th, 2009 4
Q: How did the Korean missionary win the Afghan Marathon?
A: He was just ahead.
6:47 am on February 12th, 2009 5
Maybe TOM will volunteer to serve there and represent his country the ROK.