Obama’s Unexpected Visit to Afghanistan: Cardiotonic or Band-Aid?

China Daily report: The American President Obama paid a sudden visit to Afghanistan on March 28. This is his first visit to Afghanistan since beginning his presidency.

In his meeting with Afghan President Karzai, Mr. Obama mentioned the issue of anti-drug smuggling and anti-corruption efforts, as well as his support for the peace talks between Karzai and Taliban moderates. Some observers think that such a stance has the objective of solidifying America’s status in the Afghan peace process. Others connect it with Karzai’s visit to China the other day and think it’s a political game between big countries.

Maybe this is an overstatement. In terms of anti-terrorism and the peace process, Sino-U.S. relations concerning the Afghan issue are cooperative and mutually beneficial, not cut-throat and competitive. A stable, peaceful Afghanistan will bring benefits to China, and China would like to see a crack-down on Afghan religious extremists. Moreover, China has always been prudent about not being involved in the peace process led by the Allied Forces. However, China is more willing to promote economic cooperation to help Afghanistan realize stability, which happens to be the exact same thing the Americans, who are fearful about the investment risks, are too afraid to do. Obama’s lightning visit was more self-interested.

There is no need to attach too much significance to Obama and Karzai’s visit: The big talk about anti-drug smuggling and anti-corruption efforts will not help either government enhance its control, power or prestige, nor the improve Afghan-U.S. relations. The topics of this meeting have been repeated over and over since Obama took office. If these were all he wanted to talk about, they could have discussed them over the phone or sent an envoy, saving him the trouble of traveling more than 10 hours and half way around the world for a meeting that would last only a few hours.

Obama paid a 6-hour visit to Afghanistan, half of which was spent inspecting the American military base in Bagram and the field hospital. By doing so, some speculate, the American army’s spirit would be raised, hence encouraging them to battle their enemy and achieve the interim victory. But can the 20-minute speech and roughly 1-hour inspection inspire the American army to a lofty spirit and soaring determination like a cardiotonic?

In fact, just as Obama postponed his visit to Indonesia in a rush, his out-of-the-blue 6-hour visit to Afghanistan served more like a Band-Aid for his political image.

Of course, the purpose of his meeting with Karzai was not to convey those old messages that have been repeated thousands of times, but to reinforce the image he’s shown to the American public regarding his concern for the Afghan issue and his championship of American values. He hurried to the American military base to deliver an inspiring speech, console the wounded and lament the dead. He didn’t expect that such actions themselves would have much of an encouraging effect, but they would make it clear that the commander in chief of the American armed forces was right there on the front line along with his soldiers; he has not forgotten the Afghan war or the lives American soldiers are risking.

As for domestic affairs, though a lot of work remains to be done, at least we can say that Obama has made some achievements. However, regarding foreign affairs, there really isn’t much that he can take pride in: The Iran nuclear issue is at an impasse; the situation in the Korean peninsula is stuck in a dead-lock; the peace process in the Middle East just met a major set back; and the Russia-U.S. Arms Control Treaty is just another “old trick in new clothes.” Only on the Afghan issue could things be smoothed up a little for America. Choosing this Band-Aid to save Obama’s failing work in foreign affairs was a logical result.

If we say the Iraq war was Bush’s war, then the Afghan war is purposely taking on the color of “Obama’s war.” Though Obama was not the one who sent the army in the first place, the Afghan war has a great significance for Obama due to his troop surge strategy and the aim of destroying the heart of the Taliban.

Back when Bush dropped his sudden visit to the American battle ship in the Persian bay by helicopter to deliver the message that “we won,” he pointed out that the American army was continually victorious. Now, when Obama flew to Afghanistan in such haste to express the idea that “this is my war and I’m not doing it badly,” he also pointed out the same timing. Bush’s wishful planning eventually turned out to be an embarrassing mess due to the everlasting dead-lock in Iraq. How long Obama’s Band-Aid will be available also depends on the situation on the front lines.