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Obama Team Downplays Risks in Afghan Pullback

Al-Qaeda, Taliban much closer than public has been led to believe

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 12, 2009 11:57 AM CDT
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(Newser) – US military and intelligence officials see dangerous misrepresentations in the Obama team’s flirting with a limited, anti-al-Qaeda strategy in Afghanistan. “The White House is downplaying the dangers of doing the only thing that they think Congress and the public will support,” an official tells McClatchy. But taking the focus off of the Taliban may make al-Qaeda stronger as the two groups are even closer now than in 2001.

What’s more, a Taliban with free rein in Afghanistan could radically destabilize the region to the detriment of US interests. “The Indo-Pakistan issue looms like a dark cloud on a horizon that might look clear blue,” another official says, “but it is actually a tidal wave that is rushing in.” And don’t forget the damage to US prestige and credibility if we cede Afghanistan, insiders add. “Here we go again,” an official says, comparing the Obama administration’s defense of a “minimalist policy” to the Bush administration’s tortured rationale for the invasion of Iraq.

Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq, right, is seen with leader of Pakistani Taliban movement Hakimullah Mehsud in Sararogha in Pakistani tribal area of South Waziristan along Afghanistan border.
Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq, right, is seen with leader of Pakistani Taliban movement Hakimullah Mehsud in Sararogha in Pakistani tribal area of South Waziristan along Afghanistan border.   (AP Photo)
The Taliban and related groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Taliban and related groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan.   (AP Photo)
Vice president Joe Biden meets with people after he addressee the New Jersey AFL-CIO 2009 Legislative Conference, in Atlantic City, N.J., Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009.
Vice president Joe Biden meets with people after he addressee the New Jersey AFL-CIO 2009 Legislative Conference, in Atlantic City, N.J., Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Vice president Joe Biden addresses the New Jersey AFL-CIO 2009 Legislative Conference in Atlantic City, N.J., Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009.
Vice president Joe Biden addresses the New Jersey AFL-CIO 2009 Legislative Conference in Atlantic City, N.J., Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.   (AP Photo)
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This administration is minimizing the threat from radical Islam...which is much worse today than it was 8 years ago, in order to defend a minimalist policy that it's settling on for domestic political reasons. - US intelligence official

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
professortech
Oct 13, 2009 2:40 AM CDT
I served under president Carter. He was president during very trying times but did accomplishes a number of International, domestic and budgetary- successes - he obtained Senate approval for the Panama Canal Treaty, restoring the Canal to Panama. signed the SALT II Treaty with the Soviet Union. In 1978 he hosted a meeting at Camp David with President Sadat of Egypt and Prime Minister Begin of Israel, resulting in the Camp David Agreement in which both signed up to a peace framework. He cancelled the wasteful B1 bomber project. He also vetoed a measure for a $2 billion dollar nuclear carrier. While everyone, especially conservatives, scream about getting people from "outside the beltway" Carter's "outsider" status did him no good at all when trying to enact real change. His times, as much as anything else, doomed Carter to the list of less effective presidents. Since leaving office he has set the standard for retired presidents with his global work on peace, homelesness and numerous global issues.
thejoint00
Oct 12, 2009 8:13 AM CDT
woa! this new minimalist policy is way not better than the destroy everything that moves policy. Pretending that our enemies don't exist won't make them disapear, it will allow them to come back stonger and show us to be the weaklings. Imagine what the world will think of th U.S. now. being punked down by the Taliban and al-quida teaming up against us.
thejoint00
Oct 12, 2009 8:03 AM CDT
caps- that is because bush and his cronies were more powerfull in 8 years thatn anyone, especially Obama, could be in several years let alone 8 months. However if Obama is going to do something, he better get to it as soon as possible. that doesn't include continued bailouts, military retreats, and kissing ass at the g-20. I think it's amusing that you know BHO is not capable of his position but still support him. If GWB really was the evil-genius that has destroyed the world you better find a hero that can save us, cause BHO isn't it(at your own admission).

 
Afghanistan • Taliban • Pakistan • India • troop surge • US military • al-Qaeda • Obama administration • Stanley McChrystal • public opinion

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