Karzai Diagnosed as 'Manic Depressive'

Tome exposes concerns about leader's erratic behavior
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 23, 2010 1:40 AM CDT
Karzai Diagnosed as 'Manic Depressive'
The cover of Bob Woodward's new book, "Obama's Wars".    (AP Photo/Simon & Schuster)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai's wild mood swings that have often tested the patience of his international backers could be the result of manic depression, according to Bob Woodward's new book on the Afghan war. US intelligence reports found that Karzai has been diagnosed with the condition and is taking medication for it, Woodward writes in Obama's Wars.

"He's on his meds, he's off his meds," US ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, is quoted as saying, the Telegraph reports. Eikenberry, in a diplomatic cable leaked last year, expressed deep misgivings about Karzai's leadership and said the Afghan was "not an adequate strategic partner." Click here for more on Woodward's book, which exposes deep rifts in the Obama administration over the Afghanistan war. (More Bob Woodward stories.)

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