Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- July 25, 2010

BRONZE STAR - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, pins the Bronze Star on U.S. Army Sgt. Randy A. Sellers for gallantry during a firefight in Afghanistan on July 25, 2010. Mullen stopped in Afghanistan during a ten-day trip around the world to meet with counterparts and troops engaged in the war on terrorism. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

In Afghanistan, Why Does Counterinsurgency Work In Some Places But Not Others? -- Rajiv Chandrasekaran, Washington Post

MARJA, AFGHANISTAN -- The distance from here to success is only 15 miles.

There, in the community of Nawa, a comprehensive U.S. civilian-military counterinsurgency strategy has achieved what seems to be a miracle cure. Most Taliban fighters have retreated. The district center is so quiescent that U.S. Marines regularly walk around without their body armor and helmets. The local economy is so prosperous, fueled by more than $10 million in American agriculture aid, that the main bazaar has never been busier. Now for sale: shiny, Chinese-made motorcycles and mobile phones. There's even a new ice cream shop.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Obama's detrimental deadline -- Trudy Rubin, Philadelphia Inquirer

A General Stays On, Solidifying the Army's Power in Pakistan -- Omar Waraich, Time Magazine

North Korea: Is the worst yet to come? -- Michael Moran, Global Post

Will New START really make the world a safer place? -- Peter Brookes, China Post

Yemen’s last lifeline may be in danger -- The National editorial

Bogota Brouhaha: Why is Colombia putting the screws to Chavez now? -- Francisco Toro, The New Republic

Behind exhumation of Simon Bolivar is Hugo Chavez's warped obsession -- Thor Halvorssen, Washington Post

Was Post's 'Top Secret America' series a threat to lives and security? -- Andrew Alexander, Washington Post

Experts discuss the government's growing intelligence network: Is it too big? -- Slade Gorton, Washington Post

Was the boom worth it? -- Doug Saunders, Globe And Mail