Germany's left wing Der Spiegel carries an astonishing criticism of President Obama in today's (October 29th) online edition. HIs silence on what to do in the "AfPak" war, what former Vice President Cheney referred to as "dithering," is "irrititating" NATO allies. They see that the Taliban is increasingly taking control of the conduct of the war as the American strategic vacuum continues. What are NATO allies thinking as they wait?

[A]s Clausewitz wrote, "courage is not simply a counterweight to danger, to be used for neutralizing its effects: It is a quality on its own," and Obama's administration currently creates the impression that it has been abandoned by courage.

The world has been waiting for clear words from the White House for months. Obama has had government and military analysts studying the military and political situation in the embattled Hindu Kush region since early January. He appointed Richard Holbrooke, probably the US's most effective diplomat in crisis situations, to be his special envoy to the "AfPak" region, he has replaced generals and he has deployed more troops. The answers Obama asked his experts to provide after taking office have been sitting on his desk for a long time. But the conclusions vary. Obama will have to make his own decision, one that will shape his political fate.

There is no doubt that hardly a day passes in Europe without criticism of US policy. This has become a trans-Atlantic ritual. But despite this ritual, Europeans are still looking for one thing from the White House: leadership.

We're waiting, Mr. President.

A stinging rebuke of American leadership failure.

10/29/2009 11:54 AM

We're Waiting, Mr. President

Obama Must Provide Better Leadership on Afghanistan
An Editorial by Claus Christian Malzahn

Afghanistan and Pakistan are being shaken by attacks, and the Taliban is dictating the course of the war. US President Obama has been silent about the situation for far too long and European countries like Germany and France are correct to demand better American leadership on the issue of Afghanistan.

Read it all . . .