President Obama will speak on Afghanistan at West Point Tuesday night. Obama is expected to articulate a new Afghanistan war strategy. The event promises to be fascinating political theater.
The politics are delicate; the country is split. About half the country favors an increase in troops, about half does not. In such a situation, one must wonder if Obama can make anyone happy.
On the left, progressives will be happy with nothing short of immediate withdrawal. While on the right, Obama could cure cancer, and send 50,000 more troops, and conservatives would still call him a socialist.
The militaristic backdrop telegraphs Obama's strategy. Indications are Obama will order a surge, an increase of between 30,000 and 40,000 troops. None of which should be much of a surprise. Obama, before during and after the election, has always maintained that the war in Afghanistan is the right war.
What is new will be a set of bench marks, and perhaps even timetables for withdrawal. One thing certain is that the conflict in Afghanistan is no longer open ended: The administration is guaranteeing we will be out of Afghanistan in eight years.
Obama's strategy should entail a counter-insurgency that will place greater emphasis on accelerating the training of Afghan security forces so that U.S. soldiers can eventually withdraw.
Obama will be criticized for playing to the middle. Yet given the circumstances, Obama will be criticized no matter what he does. Afghanistan is a no win situation. The sooner the US pulls out, the better.
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Comments
I'm on the right and I wouldn't call him a "socialist" a America hating racist facist communist but never a "socialist."
I for one am already rock hard waiting in anticipation for what Barry and his teleprompter are going to share with us.
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