David Kilcullen, one of the world’s leading authorities on counter-insurgency and an adviser to the British government as well as the U.S. State Department, said Obama’s delay in reaching a decision over extra troops had been “messy”. He said it not only worried U.S. allies but created uncertainty the Taliban could exploit. Speaking in an interview with the Guardian, he compared the president to someone “pontificating” over whether to send enough firefighters into a burning building to put a fire out… Kilcullen expressed concern that Obama might deny McChrystal the 40,000 extra troops and split the difference between the four options, the kind of fudge common in domestic politics. “Time is running out for us to make a decision. We can either put in enough troops to control the environment or we can credibly communicate our intention to leave. Either could work. Splitting the difference is not the way to go,” Kilcullen said. “It feels to me that all these options are dangerously close to the middle ground and we have to consider whether the middle ground is a good place to be. The middle ground is a good place on domestic issues, but not on strategy. You either commit to D-Day and invade the continent or you get Suez. Half-measures end up with Suez. Do it or not do it.”
The Suez Crisis, which ended Britain’s reign as a global hegemon, transcended a political-military loss. “Suez,” said a former colonial governor of Aden, “is where the British people lost confidence in their ability to deal with situations.” The proud British optimism of Pax Britannica faded away after two world wars, and disappeared completely after Suez. Afghanistan similarly tests America’s special role in the world. Beating back the Taliban isn’t simply a matter of winning or losing. Our reputation and role as a continued global hegemon –in a time when the world is sliding back into a multi-polarity where democracies could be the minority– is also at stake. Kilcullen is right: either do it or don’t do it. Unfortunately, Obama doesn’t believe in America’s unique place in the global equation. Afghanistan could be our greatest defeat, or our finest hour. Here’s hoping President Obama “does it.”
