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

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Pres. Hamlet Must Send in His Troops

Krauthammer: Dems have to get serious about Afghanistan

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 9, 2009 11:15 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – It’s time for Democrats, particularly President Obama, to get serious about the war in Afghanistan, writes Charles Krauthammer. From John Kerry on, Democrats have campaigned on the cynical political calculation that Afghanistan was the “good war.” But now that it’s time to send troops into that “good war,” Obama’s lost his nerve, saying he needs to decide on a strategy.

On March 27, Obama announced “a new comprehensive strategy” that “marks the conclusion of a careful policy review.” He installed a handpicked commander, Stanley McChrystal. Now, McChrystal’s asking for more troops for a counterinsurgency campaign, but Obama’s considering Joe Biden’s low-footprint counterterrorism strategy instead, Krauthammer writes for the Washington Post. The irony? McChrystal’s a renowned counterterrorism expert, and he doesn’t think it’s a good idea. “Whose recommendation would you rely on?”

A Hungarian ISAF solder secures an area for the take off of a German helicopter transporting new troops to the military base in Pul-e-Khumri, Baghlan province of Afghanistan, Monday, July 13, 2009.
A Hungarian ISAF solder secures an area for the take off of a German helicopter transporting new troops to the military base in Pul-e-Khumri, Baghlan province of Afghanistan, Monday, July 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky)
President Barack Obama delivers remarks in the East Room of the White House, Oct. 7, 2009.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks in the East Room of the White House, Oct. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama pauses while speaking to members of the media in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.
President Barack Obama pauses while speaking to members of the media in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
« 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 10 comments
Spudsy
Oct 10, 2009 2:29 AM CDT
Krauthammer is one of the idiot press that urged the attack on Iraq. Maybe he is right here but he has no believability now.
cornelison
Oct 9, 2009 8:05 AM CDT
Krauthammer is last person to give opinions on international affairs. Last weekend on Fox He referred to Europeans as "eurotrash."
Nelstorm
Oct 9, 2009 8:01 AM CDT
"Obama’s lost his nerve, saying he needs to decide on a strategy." - When did taking time to make a very important decision equate to losing your nerve?

 
Afghanistan • Barack Obama • troop levels • Afghanistan war • Charles Krauthammer • Stanley McChrystal

More Newser Stories

Pentagon Holds Secret Afghan War Games

Public Thinks Obama's Clueless on Afghanistan

In Afghanistan Debate, Obama Focuses on Exit

Time to Act Presidential on Afghanistan

Obama Looks for Local Allies in Afghanistan
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne