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Obama contemplates veterans, and two wars
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President Obama salutes on arrival in Texas
Veterans Day, 2009, America celebrates the sixth such holiday honoring our armed service men, women, and veterans, since the United States found itself in two wars, in two separate countries at the same time.
It is appropriate that on this Veterans Day, President Barack Obama, Commander-in-Chief is meeting with his National Security team to further discuss U.S. options in Afghanistan. Troops are stretched thin as extremist bombings continue to tear apart peaceful daily life in Iraq and resistance is escalating in Afghanistan. Iraq was the war that was declared “Mission Accomplished” more than six years ago, the Iraqi government has been in place for several years, Iraq should be ready take over its own affairs, and yet we can’t seem to extricate ourselves.
The President has been harshly criticized recently for what his opponents consider dithering, and foot-dragging on Afghanistan. What some might label as indecision, others would consider the time necessary to make a sound decision. The President cannot make a hurried or reckless decision in Afghanistan, America cannot afford it. With no defined mission, no plan to execute the mission, no plan to finish the mission and no definition of when we can finally declare mission accomnplished and withdraw our troops, it would be unwise to risk sending more American soldiers into harm’s way.
Afghanistan is no slam-dunk, and it should not be underestimated as Iraq was. Escalating the number of troops in Afghanistan would not automatically spell victory. “The Surge” may have had some positive results in Iraq, yet two years after, troops and innocent Iraqi civilians continue to be killed and maimed by road-side bombs, car bombs, and extremist suicide bombers. The bottom-line, is whether or not our troops can withdraw from Iraq. Until that mission can be accomplished, “The Surge” cannot be considered a success in the end game, and soldiers will continue to die there.
Afghanistan will not be secured for its people, regardless of how many troops and weapons are sent, unless there is a viable international plan, to assist the Afghani people develop some sort of sustainable economy, while at the same time preserving their culture and traditions. The war in Afghanistan is a culture war that is being fought in the minds and stomachs of the people. Without the prospects of economic hope and education, there is little that guns can do, to win over the minds of the Afghan people. The Taliban offers economic assistance in the villages, and Al-Qaeda offers frustrated young Afghans revenge against the infidel occupying forces.
Veterans should thank their President for taking his time on Afghanistan. Americans should thank the President for his care in developing a sound strategy before we get tens of thousands more Americans involved in a conflict that was begun as a form of reactionary grandstanding in response to 9/11. This war was started with reckless, thoughtless arrogance, and little consideration given for strategy, and conclusion of the operation. Take your time Mr. President. Just get it right, and get us out of Afghanistan, hopefully within your term as President.
Photocredit: President Barack Obama, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, salutes as they arrive at Robert Gray Army Air Field in Killeen, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. The president then traveled to Fort Hood, Texas to meet with families of the those wounded and killed in last week's shooting. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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