Leadership in alliance is “AWOL,” says Supreme Allied Commander
U.S. General John Craddock didn’t mince words in a speech to the Atlantic Council earlier this week, saying the mission in Afghanistan has ground to a halt in the southern and eastern parts of the country because Western political leaders lack the will to adequately fund and staff it. Charging that “political leadership in NATO is AWOL,” Craddock went on to offer some free advice. “I think that in many cases political leaders have to determine what is in the best interest of their nation,” he told the pols, “and if it’s not popular with their citizens, then it’s their role as a political leader to convince the citizenry to support the government position.” Craddock is in the last few weeks of his command. Evidently, he feels he can be candid.