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Afghan Rift? It's Just 'Smoke and Puffery'

McCain, others inflate controversy so Obama looks weak: Klein

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 8, 2009 12:45 PM CDT
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(Newser) – There’s been much consternation recently about the supposed break between the White House and Stanley McChrystal over strategy in Afghanistan. But it’s really all “smoke and puffery,” a political ruse perpetrated by John McCain and some neocon compatriots, writes Joe Klein in Time. The furor has centered over McChrystal’s statement that a counterterrorism strategy would be “shortsighted.” But Obama has already told congressional leaders essentially the same thing.

The neocons are portraying the military’s “all-in” option of sending 40,000 more troops as the only outcome generals could countenance. In reality, McChrystal offered Obama three options, with 40,000 at the high-end and 10,000 at the low. Obama will almost certainly take the low or middle recommendation. Forgotten in all this is the rest of McChrystal’s London speech, which was a wonderfully honest assessment of the challenges in Afghanistan. “When I am asked what approach we should take,” the general said, “I say humility.”

A US Army delegation with Gen. Stanley McChrystal arrives at the German base in Kunduz to tour the site where villagers reportedly died in a US airstrike, Sept. 5, 2009.
A US Army delegation with Gen. Stanley McChrystal arrives at the German base in Kunduz to tour the site where villagers reportedly died in a US airstrike, Sept. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
General Stanley McChrystal delivers a speech in London, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009.
General Stanley McChrystal delivers a speech in London, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 37 comments
brutaltruth
Oct 10, 2009 12:16 PM CDT
Well said.
brutaltruth
Oct 9, 2009 11:56 AM CDT
"Bush started both wars"? I don't recall neo-cons flying airplanes into the Twin Towers, Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. Seems like your politics get in the way of common sense.
cornelison
Oct 9, 2009 1:17 AM CDT
The point I'm making is that we've seen American soldiers in the battlefields for 8 yrs. What have we gained? The reason why many Americans enlisted in 2001 was to get the terrorists who attacked America. Why should American soldiers die in Iraq when that was not supposed to be the target in the first place? The blame for this rests with the Bush Administration. Just bring those soldiers home.

 
Afghanistan • John McCain • Joe Klein • Obama administration • neoconservatives • Stanley McChrystal

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