A Runoff Election Won't Make a Difference

On 20 October Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he would allow a runoff election to take place to assuage the concerns of the Obama Administration.

The problem that the administration has not yet realized is the fact that a runoff election will not make much difference. Whether Hamid Karzai or Dr. Abdullah Abdullah is in office the culture of corruption that reigns in Afghanistan will still be present. Troops on the ground are what is really needed.

One of the primary needs in a counterinsurgency strategy is to control the population. Different strategists have different force ratios, yet all agree one needs a sufficient amount of troops to provide security to the population. Unless a populace feels secure they will not likely provide the intelligence necessary to track down the insurgents/terrorists the US is seeking. Even Vice President Biden's counterterrorism strategy will not work without more troops. That's why it is so essential.

Even though having a legitimate government in power is important in counterinsurgency, it appears that regardless of who wins, the government will remain a weak one with the same entrenched corruption in its bureaucracy. That being said, the administration should focus on getting General McChrystal the resources he requires. This decision should not be postponed on these merits any longer. Considering in a country with such a history of corruption Karzai could still win, and the corruption could continue, it leaves the United States in an obvious bind.

The establishment of security is what is required. Once that can happen the other issues can be addressed in the proper fashion, as they should be so as to fully succeed in this strategy.