Stop Lecturing Karzai

Publicly Criticizing the Afghan President Hurts the U.S. – Michael O’Hanlon and Hassina Sherjan, Washington Post opinion

Just four days after President Obama’s surprise visit to Kabul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai gave a major speech complaining that heavy-handed international actions tarnished last year’s presidential election, diminished his legitimate status as clear winner and risked making the foreign military presence resemble the imperialist invaders of yesteryear.

Karzai went too far. His comments were unfair and risked encouraging critics of the Afghanistan mission who want to portray foreign forces as unwelcome. But his remarks were also a predictable result of American browbeating. Historically, negative treatment of the Afghan leader has produced these sorts of reactions. Kabul and Washington are partners in the effort to create a stable, democratic state; they should understand that public displays of rancor are best avoided…

More at The Washington Post.

More:

Karzai Blames Foreigners for Afghan Vote Fraud – Voice of America

Afghan President Rebukes West and U.N. – New York Times

Karzai Rails Against Foreign Presence – Washington Post

Karzai Blames Western Officials for Election Fraud – Los Angeles Times

Karzai Calls Clinton to Clarify Critical Remarks – Voice of America

In Call, Karzai Tries to Clarify a Diatribe – New York Times

Karzai Clarifies Remarks that Sparked White House ‘Concern’ – Washington Post

President Karzai Lashes Out – New York Times editorial