Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Jones: Afghan Troop Level Is 'Robust'

Says situation 'much more complex than just about 'X' more troops'

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 4, 2009 10:38 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – As debate about Afghan policy rages, President Obama's national security adviser took to the airwaves today, telling CNN that the US troop presence there is "robust" and emphasizing that the situation hinged on more than sheer numbers. Although Afghanistan's disputed election was destined to be "imperfect," Gen. Jim Jones said, it's important "that the Afghan people recognize Karzai as their legitimate president." Elsewhere:


  • Former CENTCOM chief Anthony Zinni thinks the White House is "dithering" on Stanley McChrystal's troop request, telling Face the Nation, “We’ve had a strategy since March. I don’t understand why we’re questioning his judgment at this point."
  • UN Ambassador Susan Rice says Iran had better prove its nukes are for peaceful purposes. "If it doesn't, time is short," she said on Meet the Press.
  • On Fox News Sunday, a bipartisan group of senators took aim at Tehran, calling for tough sanctions—and military action if needed. "Let’s have Iran weakened,” said Lindsey Graham.
  • There's no need for a new stimulus, former Fed chair Alan Greenspan said on  ABC's This Week. Despite high unemployment numbers, "This is what a recovery looks like," and "only 40 percent of the first stimulus has been in place."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, and Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., were to appear on Fox News Sunday.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, and Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., were to appear on Fox News Sunday.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
White House National Security Advisor James Jones speaks to media outside the CBS studio in Washington after appearing on Face the Nation Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009.
White House National Security Advisor James Jones speaks to media outside the CBS studio in Washington after appearing on "Face the Nation" Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/CBS, Karin Cooper)
National Security Adviser James Jones delivers remarks on national security to the Atlantic Council in Washington, Wednesday, May 27, 2009.
National Security Adviser James Jones delivers remarks on national security to the Atlantic Council in Washington, Wednesday, May 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
National Security Adviser James Jones speaks at a briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington.
National Security Adviser James Jones speaks at a briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, FILE)
Susan Rice, US Ambassador to United Nations, speaks after a special session of Security Council at the 64th General Assembly debate of United Nations, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009.
Susan Rice, US Ambassador to United Nations, speaks after a special session of Security Council at the 64th General Assembly debate of United Nations, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Karp)
UN Ambassador Susan Rice speaks to reporters in the White House briefing room in Washington, Friday, Sept. 18, 2009.
UN Ambassador Susan Rice speaks to reporters in the White House briefing room in Washington, Friday, Sept. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan was on ABC's This Week today.
Former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan was on ABC's This Week today.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, FILE)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
AdaptAndOvercome
Oct 5, 2009 12:36 PM CDT
Lindsay Graham is an idiot and anything he has to say is usually stupid. All this talk of troops needed and not being sent, then they are waiting,,,well it's a bunch of bullshit quite frankly. My nephew is on his way to Iraq to help with the draw down and then he'll be heading to Afgahnastan. Several other friends have their own children doing the same.....so it's obvious that we can't just blab all our war strategies in the media..that would be tipping our hat. Hey wasn't it determined that Greenspan was part of the problem with the recession and the economic problems? So, why the hell would people believe what he has to say now?
bewilderbeast
Oct 5, 2009 11:19 AM CDT
America the Beautiful! Has NO-ONE told you that ALL empires end?? ALL EMPIRES END, people! How many enemies do you WANT on your way down? We know Americans are spoilt kids into instant gratification, but surely even you can see this power shit is going to blow up in your kids' and your grandkids' faces!!? Stop fighting, go home and start talking (and learn to speak mandarin). Harness the admiration many people still have for America (diminishing fast, but still there).
JonmarkP
Oct 5, 2009 5:59 AM CDT
Apparently, this Jim Jones drank the Kool-Aid, too.

 
Afghanistan • Iran • James Jones • Lindsey Graham • Susan Rice • Anthony Zinni

More Newser Stories

Graham: Free Speech a Great Idea, but We're at War

GOP Senators Take Secret Afghanistan Trip

Afghanistan Is Even More Corrupt Than You Thought

Let's Not Forget the Cost of War

Karzai: Iran, US Give Me Bags of Money
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne