Abdullah Quits Leaves Karzai

Now it's certain that the U.S. is stuck with the corrupt Hamid Karzai. That certainty seems like an advantage in moving forward with a strategy.
Meet the Press roundtable discuss Afghanistan this morning. Andrea Mitchell says there is a whole lot to be done before Obama can announce the new way in Afghanistan:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Abdullah Abdullah bowed out gracefully without inciting violence:

The concern among diplomats here on Saturday was that Mr. Abdullah would denounce Mr. Karzai even as he bowed out of the race, possibly causing greater anger, and even violence, among his followers. American and Western diplomats were leaning on Mr. Abdullah to pull out with little rancor and to urge his supporters to accept the fact that Mr. Karzai would be president.

Mr. Karzai’s supporters were also hoping Mr. Abdullah would choose that course. Over the past month, as the evidence of vote stealing piled up, Mr. Karzai’s ministers carried on with extraordinary self-confidence, portraying the fraud, and the runoff itself, as a nuisance that, once overcome, would allow them to get on with their jobs. NYT

Obama's News Conference With King Abdullah

Obama Meets With Jordan's King Abdulluh

Politico says that Joe Biden and King Abdullah are being trailed by a 60 Minutes camera. Obama is meeting with Abdullah later today (updated with video below):

Jordan's King Abdullah II to become the first Arab leader to be invited to visit the White House since Barack Obama took office in January.

Officials said the talks, scheduled for Tuesday, would focus squarely on the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

"I think the biggest topic, obviously, is going to be the Middle East peace process and where we are in that," Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman, said on Monday.

"The president has promised to be engaged repeatedly in ensuring a lasting peace there. And that will almost certainly be the dominant topic."

Obama will meet Abdullah in his private dining room, after which they will head into the Oval Office for expanded talks including delegations from both sides, the White House said. Al Jazeera

At a press conference with King Abdullah, Obama says he's a strong supporter of a two-state solution for the Israelis and the Palestinians. Obama strikes a balance, not blaming either side. Ultimately, the decision is theirs to make, he said: