Karzai's Last Chance  As he was sworn in for a second term as
president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai’s inaugural address
sought to appease the critics—and keep nationalism alive.  For
better or worse, Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s second
inaugural address marked the beginning of his final chance to
shake off the vilification he’s received at home and abroad, and
set a course for action.  In an inaugural unlikely to enter the
canon of great political rhetoric, Karzai alternately appeased
his audience and asserted his independence, promising change in
Afghanistan in an address tacitly acknowledging the
international criticism of his leadership.  President Obama did
not get a personal shout-out, but at least Karzai acknowledged
the importance of the U.S. contribution.  The second inaugural
poses a unique challenge for any world leader facing a final
term, especially an embattled incumbent like Karzai, whose
reelection was tainted by allegations of vote fraud. I asked
John McConnell, the deputy White House chie