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Obama Buying Time With Afghan Surge

Measure more geared to buying time to revamp strategy on conflict

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 13, 2009 10:43 AM CST
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(Newser) – Barack Obama intends to sign off on a Pentagon plan to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, the Washington Post reports, but not because anyone believes this new “surge” will turn around the failing war effort. Obama’s team expects the move, which will nearly double US presence in the country, to simply buy time to re-evaluate strategy.

“We have no strategic plan. We never had one” during the Bush years, said one commander who believes Obama’s first order of business will be defining the mission. Logistical questions abound—how will Afghan forces be trained, new resources distributed, narco-trafficking curtailed? “At some point,” a retired officer said, “this is going to have to converge into a decision on strategy instead of 40 different ones.”

Vice President-elect Joe Biden shakes hands with a NATO soldier after arriving at the ISAF headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 10, 2009.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden shakes hands with a NATO soldier after arriving at the ISAF headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Marine Pfc. Jesse Young surveys the terrain through his weapon's sight after entering a mock village during a training exercise, Sept. 23, 2008.
Marine Pfc. Jesse Young surveys the terrain through his weapon's sight after entering a mock village during a training exercise, Sept. 23, 2008.   (AP Photo)
A Marine mans an automatic weapon in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 8, 2008.
A Marine mans an automatic weapon in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 8, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Jan 13, 2009 2:19 AM CST
That's a question we should have asked 4-7 years ago.
PosterNutbag
Jan 13, 2009 12:50 AM CST
How can we pay for Iraq, Afghanistan, and Obama's domestic stimulus?
Guest
Jan 12, 2009 10:57 PM CST
I'm not sure that a surge in Afghanistan will work at this time. Two years ago, maybe, but we have left the Taliban become too entrenched there... too much hostility toward Americans now. Is there anyway out now that we are in?

Debate rages on how to use new troops
Los Angeles Times

Attacks renewed on NATO supplies
BBC

US signals commitment by building bases
Washington Post

 
Afghanistan • Barack Obama • Pentagon • surge • Afghanistan war • President Obama • escalation

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