Newt Roils Afghan Waters

Newt Gingrich said Obama “surrendered” when he apologized to Hamid Karzai, the Afghan leader, for mistakenly burning copies of the Koran that had been given to Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan.  The ensuing violence has already led to the deaths of two American soldiers. Gingrich said Obama "is consistently apologizing to people who do not deserve the apology of the president of the United States, period."   Juan Cole suggests that Gingrich’s statements might exacerbate tensions in the region and lead to a further endangerment of US troops. 

Newt just can’t understand

Why Obama would offer his hand

And apologize

To Hamid Karzai’s

People for burning Korans.

It was just a mistake, but the Afghans

Are very upset

And would be a big threat

To all of our troops over there.

So it’d help if we would declare

How sorry we were

That this could occur.

But Newt saw a wonderful chance

To go on TV and enhance

An image of strength,

No matter what length

He must go in his ignorance.