It is now the 10th day of what Gen. Petraeus called the ‘initial salvo’ of the mission in the former (can we call it that?) Taliban stronghold in Helmand Province. The fighting has been been fierce, yet sporadic, as reports of American soldier, Afghan army, and civilian deaths slowly roll in (Here’s a video of American marines in action). As the military operation winds down, or more accurately, relative stability and security is established, the goal is to get the Afghan government to take control of the region (not just the election commission President Karzai) and provide effective services to its citizens. This is MUCH MORE easier said (written) than done.
Haji Zahir, the newly appointed mayor of Marja, was brought into the city to begin what will be an incredible challenge. According to Rajiv Chandrasekaran, Zahir spoke in front of about 50 of Marja’s elderly men urging them to view the NATO soldiers as partners, not foreign enemies. Zahir, along with Brig. Gen. Mohayden Ghori, pleaded their case against the rule of the Taliban and discussed building schools, water pumps, etc. The local men appeared to be skeptical to say the least. It has also been reported that before the great offensive began, the Taliban had put on softer gloves in their treatment of the local Marja population, in a likely attempt to win, you guessed it, hearts and minds.
Speaking of hearts and minds, Americans have them to, and they may be starting to shift in favor of our presence in Afghanistan. According to a Angus Reid poll, 54% (up from 49% 2 months ago) of Americans support U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, and a bare majority foresee a favorable outcome to the war. Those who said they opposed the war fell from 42% to 38%. Still not overwhelming favorability numbers, but a welcome sign for the Obama administration. Are these results a sign that Americans see progress in the war overall? I’m not so sure. Are they because of the Marja offensive? Maybe a little bit, but the poll was taken last week, just a couple days into the offensive. In my opinion, the numbers are up because Obama finally laid out a plan and appears to be following it. There are many valid reasons why Americans are weary of our presence in Afghanistan, but I believe that the in favor numbers fell so rapidly during the past summer because of the lack of leadership from the administration. The only time people heard/read about Afghanistan was when something negative was happening and no real plan (to win or get out) seemed in sight. Now many Americans see a strategy that is in progress and I believe more are giving it a chance to succeed. How long this support will last will likely be directly related to results on the ground and leadership in Washington.
