What’s Karzai doing in U.S. barracks?

Karzai and McChrystal are buddies definitely. The top U.S. general has accompanied Mr. Karzai in his almost all provincial travels over the past few months; sitting legs-crossed, drinking tea and listening to Karzai through his interpreter. McChrystal has studied the embattled Afghan leader more than any other U.S. official in Kabul.

His spontaneous public apologies after every major civilian casualty incident involving international forces and indeed a major reduction in NATO’s notorious air strikes (which has reportedly decreased civilian deaths attributed to NATO) have made McChrystal a favorable figure.

In an unprecedented gesture of friendship Karzai popped into McChrystal’s dual headquarters – NATO’s HQ in central Kabul and U.S. (non-NATO) command center in Bargram Airfield – over the past one month.

Through these visits Karzai has tried to re-assure Washington that he’s not lost his mind totally to seek a new patron in the region. He just wants to say he does not like diplomats and envoys pressing him on corruption and inept but likes to work with non-critical generals.

“Don’t criticize me! Cherish me and I’m all your guy!” is what Mr. Karzai telling Washington.

Well-taken Mr. Karzai! Ambassadors Holbrook and Eikenberry have got their lessons and are not going to displease you in future. You’re status has been elevated to that of Hosni Mubarak and other U.S.-backed dictators in the Muslim world.