Intense Debate Led to Obama Afghan Compromise

Biden warned against being dragged into political, military quagmire

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 28, 2009 6:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama's new Afghan strategy was forged after intense debate among advisers, reports the New York Times, with VP Joe Biden being the voice of caution, warning against being dragged into a quagmire there. All advisers agreed that the goal should narrow to tackling al-Qaeda, rather than Bush-style nation-building. But military chiefs called for more troops while Hillary Clinton and Richard Holbrooke wanted focus on fighting corruption and the poppy production that is fueling the Taliban.

Biden's advice carried a lot of weight with the president, officials said—especially his observation from his recent trip to Afghanistan that 10 people there, asked what American objectives were, would give 10 different answers. The final strategy, according to officials, was a wide-ranging compromise: 4,000 more troops devoted to training Afghan forces, and more diplomats and resources focused on development in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Afghan police patrol near the wreckage of a car after an explosion near the Koohekarak shrine on the outskirts of Khost, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, March 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Nashanuddin Khan)

Afghan men raise the holy mace during a celebration of the Persian New Year Nowruz at the Kart-e-Sakhi shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, March 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Barack Obama listens to Joe Biden describe his recent trip to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Pakistan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, at Obama's transition office in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Joe Biden shakes hands with an ISAF soldier at the ISAF Regional Command South Headquarters Conference Room in Kandahar province south of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/ISAF, Aramis X. Ramirez, HO)

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We have a clear and focused goal to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.
- President Obama

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Intense Debate Led to Obama Afghan Compromise