thedrifter
04-17-09, 08:08 AM
Critical issues and a full exchange of ideas
4/16/2009 By Lance Cpl. Meloney R. Moses , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —“There are some people you can’t negotiate with; you just have to fight,” said Col. Peter Petronzio, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pertronzio’s comments came at the Marine Corps University’s annual symposium, Emerald Express: Afghanistan at the Crossroads, held April 8-9 at the Gray Research Center, where discussions focused on Afghanistan and South Asia Region issues.
Emerald Express examines critical issues throughout our nation and allows the full exchange of ideas from participants, explained retired Maj. Gen. Donald Gardner, MCU president.
The two-day discussion featured presentations from members of joint, interagency, non-governmental, international, media, academic and private sector communities; and included more than 150 participants.
These distinguished speakers and panelists, who were selected based on their knowledge and expertise, shared their perspectives to provide an understanding of the political, strategic, operational and tactical situation in Afghanistan. Some topics discussed by the panel were essential elements for the stability in Afghanistan, fighting and beating insur-gency, and the struggling economy, to name a few.
“Long-term stability in Afghanistan comes from change,” said His Excellency, Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali, Near East and South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. “It is to be pursued through democratic participation. The people in Afghanistan hope the presidential election will bring about positive change, hope and stability.”
Many of the guest speakers agreed that, no matter how much negotiation is attempted, there are always going to be some people who are going to contest to it. Afghanistan is not Iraq, explained Petronzio. Our next force is going to have to use lessons learned as opposed to lessons recorded in order to be successful.
In the last three decades, Afghanistan has been the center of insecurity and instability, said His Excellency Hajji Mohammad Mohaqiq, a member of the Afghan National Assembly and leader of the Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan. The Taliban connected with the national terrorists and were given the opportunity to create a force that is a threat to the world.
After 9/11 was when the world began to pay attention to the Taliban and new approaches were taken to fight this phenomenon, Mohaqiq continued. Earlier, the Taliban were considered a minor force and as a result, international forces did not take action. The cooperation and good will of international elements and local Afghans eroded.
“We must be determined to fight terrorism sincerely,” said His Excellency Ambassador Said T. Jawed, Afghan ambassador to the United States. “We have to work together to bring the Afghan and U.S. armies together. I think we will work better if we seek synergy.” Mohaqiq said.
With the rebuilding, broadened education and a refined police force and military, some good work has been done despite all the negative attention Afghanistan gets.
Ellie
4/16/2009 By Lance Cpl. Meloney R. Moses , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —“There are some people you can’t negotiate with; you just have to fight,” said Col. Peter Petronzio, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pertronzio’s comments came at the Marine Corps University’s annual symposium, Emerald Express: Afghanistan at the Crossroads, held April 8-9 at the Gray Research Center, where discussions focused on Afghanistan and South Asia Region issues.
Emerald Express examines critical issues throughout our nation and allows the full exchange of ideas from participants, explained retired Maj. Gen. Donald Gardner, MCU president.
The two-day discussion featured presentations from members of joint, interagency, non-governmental, international, media, academic and private sector communities; and included more than 150 participants.
These distinguished speakers and panelists, who were selected based on their knowledge and expertise, shared their perspectives to provide an understanding of the political, strategic, operational and tactical situation in Afghanistan. Some topics discussed by the panel were essential elements for the stability in Afghanistan, fighting and beating insur-gency, and the struggling economy, to name a few.
“Long-term stability in Afghanistan comes from change,” said His Excellency, Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali, Near East and South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. “It is to be pursued through democratic participation. The people in Afghanistan hope the presidential election will bring about positive change, hope and stability.”
Many of the guest speakers agreed that, no matter how much negotiation is attempted, there are always going to be some people who are going to contest to it. Afghanistan is not Iraq, explained Petronzio. Our next force is going to have to use lessons learned as opposed to lessons recorded in order to be successful.
In the last three decades, Afghanistan has been the center of insecurity and instability, said His Excellency Hajji Mohammad Mohaqiq, a member of the Afghan National Assembly and leader of the Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan. The Taliban connected with the national terrorists and were given the opportunity to create a force that is a threat to the world.
After 9/11 was when the world began to pay attention to the Taliban and new approaches were taken to fight this phenomenon, Mohaqiq continued. Earlier, the Taliban were considered a minor force and as a result, international forces did not take action. The cooperation and good will of international elements and local Afghans eroded.
“We must be determined to fight terrorism sincerely,” said His Excellency Ambassador Said T. Jawed, Afghan ambassador to the United States. “We have to work together to bring the Afghan and U.S. armies together. I think we will work better if we seek synergy.” Mohaqiq said.
With the rebuilding, broadened education and a refined police force and military, some good work has been done despite all the negative attention Afghanistan gets.
Ellie