Christiane speaks to two powerful women trying to change the military justice system.
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Well, look, Christiane, this is Afghanistan
Ryan Crocker, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, appeared on Amanpour today, just hours after President Obama’s surprise visit to Afghanistan and in the immediate aftermath of an insurgent attack on the capital.
Ambassador Crocker responded to reports that a security breach some hours before the President’s plane touched down at Bagram Airfield might have come from inside Afghanistan itself, potentially compromising Mr. Obama’s security.
“The leak, such as it was, was incorrect,” said Ambassador Crocker, “and our collective judgment was that it did not propose a sufficient threat to the president.”
However, he did acknowledge that “there is always a risk.”
In a memorable phrase, he seemed to encapsulate the years of American involvement since 2001: “Well, look, Christiane, this is Afghanistan.”
Ambassador Crocker also addressed the suicide bombing in the heart of Kabul that occurred just after President Obama flew home to Washington. While admitting all the facts aren’t in, he didn’t think the attack was timed with the President’s visit.
“We looked at all aspects of that,” he said. “Everybody was comfortable. It went precisely according to schedule. We regret the loss of innocent Afghan lives. But overall, Kabul is a pretty normal, pretty secure city.” FULL POST
I don't think I’ve ever sparked more curiosity online, than last year – after a clip surfaced from 2008 when I said Osama bin Laden was most likely living in a villa in Pakistan – not in a remote cave. That was three years before he was killed, indeed in a villa in Pakistan. Watch the back story here.
U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker talks to Christiane about the attacks that followed President Obama’s surprise visit to Afghanistan and whether he believes the bombing was a message to the U.S. President.
Part 1: Lessons from bin Laden's death CNN National Security Analyst, Peter Bergen looks back at bin Laden's final days in Pakistan. Part 2: Remembering Ahmad Shah Massoud Afghan politician and former military advisor, Abdullah Abdullah remembers the assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud.
CNN National Security Analyst, Peter Bergen looks back at bin Laden's final days in Pakistan.
Afghan politician and former military advisor, Abdullah Abdullah remembers the assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud.
Ahmad Shah Massoud was called the Lion of the Panjshir. He was the legendary Afghan Freedom Fighter who despite all odds led the Afghan Mujaheddin to defeat the Soviet Occupation in the 1980’s. Not only did he bleed the Soviet Army to death, his victory is also credited with helping bring down the Soviet Empire and the Fall of Communism. He was an enemy of the Taliban and al-Qaeda and they assassinated him two days before 9/11
Episode #12: Tuesday, May 1, 2012.
The U.S. isn’t going to disappear in a year or two
On the one year anniversary of the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, two experts on counter-terrorism appeared on Amanpour – to consider the rise and fall of Al Qaeda and the man who will forever be its enigmatic face.
As if to punctuate the occasion, President Obama had just arrived unannounced at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, on his way to meet with President Karzai.
Peter Bergen, CNN’s national security analyst and author of Manhunt, the Ten Year Search for Bin Laden, said President Obama’s surprise visit should be viewed “in the context of the NATO summit to be held in Chicago on May 20th. “ At that time, Bergen said, the heads of state of NATO will affirm an agreement that will assure a U.S. presence “in some form” in Afghanistan for ten more years.
“A good thing in my view,” said Bergen. “Afghans were worried we’d turn out the lights in 2014; this reassures the Afghans and also helps the hedging strategies of Pakistan and other countries.”
Richard Clarke, former Senior Advisor On Counter Terrorism to Presidents Clinton and Bush, said President Obama’s visit also sends a public message to the Taliban and their supporters “that the U.S. isn’t going to disappear in a year or two.”
Clarke added, “This agreement says U.S. combat forces may go but special forces, intelligence apparatus, and air forces are likely to stay on as long as they are needed.”
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