“In 1957 Ghana became one of the first sub-Saharan African nations to gain independence from colonial rule. Over the next decade, hundreds of African Americans–including Martin Luther King Jr., George Padmore, Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, Richard Wright, Pauli Murray, and Muhammed Ali–visited or settled in Ghana. Kevin K. Gaines explains what attracted these expatriates to Ghana and how their new community was shaped by the convergence of the Cold War, the rise of the U.S. civil rights movement, and the decolonization of Africa. ”
Although few Americans realize it, one of the biggest contingents of NATO troops in Afghanistan is that of the Poles. But Acting President Bronislaw Komorowski just announced that he is setting 2012 as the date on which a Polish withdrawal will commence. Poland has about 2500 troops in Afghanistan, last I knew in Ghazni.
The announcement comes after Canada announced that its troops would leave Afghanistan in 2011.* The Canadian withdrawal creates real difficulties for the US, insofar as the Canadians (about 2800), have provided key assistance in the Qandahar area, such that US troops will have to take over security duties in that area.
Holland is withdrawing its troops in August, after debate on an open-ended stay in Afghanistan caused the government to fall.
Although there had been speculation that Australia would also begin a troop withdrawal in 2012, new prime minister Julia Gillard called President Obama on Thursday to reassure him that Australia’s approach would remain that of major NATO countries.
McCain’s argument makes no sense. The US has the largest contingent of troops in Afghanistan, and if it gradually draws down, few would notice. He disregards how crushingly unpopular the war is with European publics. What is amazing is that the governments have been able to keep troops there for this long. And, the economic downturn is another impetus to cut their losses and go home. You can’t keep countries committed to a forever war that has no end in sight.
With Today’s announcement by Cameron, it seems to me that President Obama’s hopes of rallying NATO for a long-term nation-building role in Afghanistan are finished. As in Iraq, where US troop levels have fallen into the 80,000s from a peak of 170,000, the US will likely be alone as it leaves and turns out the lights.
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*In an earlier version of this post I said that Michael Ignatieff had wanted to extend Canada’s stay in Afghanistan, but now see that he was, like Cameron, only talking about some post-2011 non-military role such as training.
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