How do we say the Afghan Surge is not just mil when civilians are not participating?
Looked at the new plan for Afghanistan and there is lots of rhetoric about rebuilding, governance, rule of law, etc, but the latest DoS statements indicate that very few civilians are actually being sent to support the 17k troops. PRTs, even in relatively safe areas are still led by the military. To all my DoS brethren, don't complain that foreign policy has become militarized, when you don't step up to the plate. Understand the resource issues in DoS, but if this is indeed "an international security challenge of the highest order" as the President says, aren't there embassies that can go without so Afghanistan and Pakistan can be properly manned with the experts on building the social structures required to win (yes, win) this war?
Civilians not Participating
The old "why aren't there more birkenstocks on the ground?" Blame the DOS for all ills.
Well, let's take a look at what is really needed. First, more FSOs? Absolutely. Anyone with access to the DOS OpenNet knows that the Afghan surge is on the way, including consulates in Herat and Mazar. There will also be more FSOs in PRTs.
The problem is, FSOs only possess a slice of the skill sets needed to engage in Afghanistan. We need many more civilians, clearly, the paradox is that while the military is currently the most urgent element, it is ultimately the least important. In addition to State and USAID, we need people from Justice, USDA, Department of Commerce, experts from the legislative branch, experienced community organizers, city planners, electrical engineers, civil engineers, small town mayors, city officials, all of whom need to be spread liberally around the country. These are the people with the skill sets - not the DOS or the DOD (or its many parts).
The question isn't whether Embassy London should be shut down. The real issue is will the Obama administration take on the challenge that was ignored for the last seven years: Is America at war or not? Who will make the call (at long last) for middle America to mobilize?
As for the military being in charge: well as long as there are more military musicians than there are diplomats, as long as DOD rounds off greater sums than are in DOS' budget, it ain't gonna happen.
Instead of pointing the finger and blame the lack of success on the absence of an extra 300 FSOs, let's all take a big step back and view this through a framework of leveraging all of the elements of national power.
Not so surprising, David ....
tribalism, faction fighting and switching sides run in an Irishman's genes. :D
All very useful talents on the Astan scene.
So, the story of Mr Frog and Mr Scorpion - "I can't help it, it's in my nature."
Can't ignore the fact that DoS has not stepped up
Bruce,
The career FSOs bleating about being sent "to their deaths" in Iraq when it looked like volunteers wouldn't fill the numbers weren't media hype. There are lots of skills that FSOs have gained along their careers that would be useful in RoL, Governance, Economic Development, etc.
Should the other agencies step up too? Sure. But they don't continue the drumbeat that our foreign policy is "too militarized" or that their agency should be in charge. I'll welcome all their help, but let's not say its a whole-of-government approach when it is DOD and some others. Can't blame that on Bush. State has had lots of opportunity to step up.
I'll tag onto Tom and concur with all his points.
What should also not be forgotten is that if State is, in the eyes of some, not doing their fair share, it is because the current, the just previous and most prior Administrations have not properly resourced the mission or the Department. In fairness, that is due in large measure to a venal Congress which is more concerned with pork and reelection than they are with the good of the nation and properly resourcing foreign affairs.
As has been said, DoD has filled the gap, due partly to necessity but also, we should admit, partly to selfish parochial concerns. The DoD attitude needs to change, Congress needs to be responsible and State needs to insist on the tools to do its job and hire more people that are as willing as the majority of FSOs to do just that. State employees are to be commended for operating as well as they have on a shoestring.
Be nice if the NSC, State and DoD could agree on what constitutes a 'region. It would help if USAid and a USIA were reconstituted as well.
Last time I checked, we were supposed to be in this together...
I'm fully prepared to be wrong
Let's hope that I am. When the non-military agencies start flowing in to fix what the President says is the most important challenge we face as a nation, I will be the happiest guy around. Just don't think that our plans match the rhetoric. 17k soldiers, 250 non-DoD civilians (plus a similar number of local hires). Here's to hoping that the plans change.