Pages

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Real Three Cups of Tea Fallout

I have not read Three Cups of Tea and have not been closely following the hullabaloo over revelations about the accuracy of Greg Mortenson's memoir or the integrity of his charity.

So this Brookings blog post on the scandal by international education expert Rebecca Winthrop provided some welcome perspective.

Winthrop writes:
"The underlying message of Mortenson’s book and his related advocacy – that investment in education is greatly needed in Pakistan and it is an important part in promoting peace – still holds true, despite whatever factual inaccuracies in his book."
That was my initial reaction to the news, as well. But she also provides some important context about Mortenson's work in Pakistan.
"Despite the importance of Mortenson’s message on the education crisis in Pakistan, the effectiveness of his Central Asia Institute remains questionable. Good intentions do not necessarily translate into effective international development practices and NGO management." 
That may be the understatement of the year!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Mission Creep in the Commentariat

The chattering classes in Washington have put forth an endless stream of commentary on the American intervention in Libya ever since the first planes began flying over Tripoli nearly two weeks ago. Much of is had blended together in my mind -- is the Obama doctrine really a doctrine? are we repeating the mistakes of Iraq (circa 2003)? Of Afghanistan (circa 1989)? What sort of RtoP precedent (that's "responsibility to protect" for you non-IR geeks out there) does this set?

But two voices caught my attention today -- both pushing for boots on the ground as the only logical extension to the original RtoP mission in Libya. Aside from the hawks on Capitol Hill, I hadn't seen too many commentators making this argument in the quite the realist vein as these two serious thinkers.

Anthony Cordesman of CSIS:
"From a Libyan viewpoint, dragging the country into a long political and economic crisis, and an extended low-level conflict that devastates populated areas, the net humanitarian cost will be higher than fully backing the rebels, with air power and covert arms and training."
And on ForeignPolicy.com, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik (Ret.) penned a piece entitled simply, "Boots on the Ground." Dubik:
"Contrary to the president's assurances, the only long-term political solution for Libya will require having Western troops on the ground. How would security otherwise be provided in a post-Qaddafi Libya? Not by air power and a few intelligence operators on the ground. Nor by the Libyan police and army, for they have committed crimes and atrocities against Libyan civilians on behalf of Qaddafi. And given that we don't really know the composition of the rebel force, can we expect it to behave with kindness and mercy?"
 A sea change in thinking on the Western role in Libya? Hardly. But it will be interesting to see if this approach gathers more adherents if the stalemate in Libya continues.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Weekly Rounds

Last week, the foreign policy discussion on Capitol Hill was absolutely consumed by debate about Libya. It was Congress' first week back since time the international community launched its military campaign against Qaddafi and his regime, and they came back to Capitol Hill with guns blazing.

Much of the week, members seemed focused on fighting past battles, i.e. how the Obama administration went about inserting American military forces in the offensive in North Africa. Only towards the end of the week did lawmakers begin focusing their sights on the next steps in Libya. Two stories from CQ ($$) I wrote on this with colleagues last week :

Libya Rebel Groups Will be Vetted, Obama Administration Officials Say

McCain, Kerry Look for a Way to Authorize Use of U.S. Forces in Libya

This coming week, Libya will still be on the radar, but it's going to be overshadowed by budget battles and the looming threat of a government shutdown, which will impact the international affairs community just as it does everyone else that works with and relies on money and guidance from the U.S. government.

Among other events to watch for:

Israeli President Shimon Peres is in the United States, and will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday and lunch with President Obama on Tuesday. (Speaking of Israel, if you missed Roger Goldstone's op-ed in WaPo reconsidering his famous/infamous UNHRC report, you best read it now!)

The UN is going to be on the hot seat in the House, with hearings scheduled in the House Appropriations and House Foreign Affairs Committees Wednesday & Thursday. Susan Rice will be the featured witness in both, trying to defend the UN's budget and practices from a GOP majority that has long been skeptical of this and other multilateral organizations.
- Approps subcommittee hearing, 4/6, 10 am
- Foreign Affairs full committee hearing, 4/7, 10 am

And, of course, the government shuts down 4/8 unless House GOP leaders and Senate Dems strike an 11th hour deal. What a shut-down would mean for government workers and the rest of us who indirectly make our living off of government action is still not entirely clear ...