(CNN) -- As Afghan President Hamid Karzai's calculated and risky backtracking on the U.S.-Afghan security agreement puts him on a collision course with most Afghans, the United States needs to demonstrate patience, take the Afghan public's side and be tactful at a sensitive time in a highly volatile part of the world. Observers describe Karzai's actions as erratic, arrogant or impulsive. Others suggest that he be ignored or bypassed. To some, he seems to be displaying signs of exhaustion and irrationality. These views miscast Karzai's motives and miss the point of his tactical political maneuvering. He is engaging in canny clan-style brinksmanship.
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Omar Samad: Most Afghans upset at Karzai's balking at deal to let some troops stay on
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Samad: Karzai jockeying to protect his political, financial interests after his term ends
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He says Afghans worry about security but also want to keep the gains of the past 12 years
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Samad: Afghans will deal with Karzai; U.S. must be patient and promote democratic reforms
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Arm-twisting is neither advised nor helpful at this stage as @placeholder exert increasing pressure at home to make the President think twice about his responsibilities and priorities.
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In an unprecedented move, they issued a statement Monday praising his stance on the security agreement and refrained from calling him an "@placeholder puppet" for the first time.
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Whether these last resort overtures will open any doors to a just and peaceful settlement or help his side with the upcoming elections has yet to be determined, but at least he will be able to make a case that he did not toe the @placeholder line.
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Afghans have given @placeholder the benefit of doubt for many years, but their leader's overall record has been patchy at best.