By Tom Ryan, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory Panel

It’s just an excuse for the fact that there is no American strategy in Afghanistan. It’s a secret and unpopular recognition that we cannot go this alone. We need support from the government of Afghanistan and our allies, as well as potential allies who now observe. There will be no strategy until February 2010.

Until the UN holds their summit on Afghanistan, the one requested by Britain, Germany, and France, there will be no strategy for Afghanistan. Until that time, we’ll see a few more months of analysis paralysis in Washington…Tampa, and Kabul. Obama’s gotten off easy by asking “the field” to assess the issue and “get back with him”. And he has abrogated his responsibility under the guise of openness and “give your ideas” modern blog, social networking management.

One cannot expect the military to develop a comprehensive strategy…you’ll get a great military menu, but other things like economic development, governance, law, education, transportation…forget it. But don’t blame GEN McChrystal, please.

He’s been a very special operator for a long time and nation-building is not his strength. Let’s face it, this job needs to go to someone like Dick Cheney or Warren Buffet. This challenge is tied to raising Afghanistan’s GDP above the 1 billion mark and the general is not a business guy and nor is his partner, Karzai.

Strategy is the business of the President, not field commanders. Let’s hope no one makes the commander out there a fall guy. It’s time for Obama to orchestrate strategy from his team in more than just military dimensions. But beginning with his SecState, this is too hard for them.

In the meantime, the UN summit will remove the heat from the President by taking this strategy development on in a big way. Russia will become involved. Yes. They have the power…oil and gas that is…if Afghanistan is to develop, they’ll need to do business with Russia. Talk about ironic…