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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
18

Biden's Doubts on Afghan Strategy Wins Allies

VP's calls for a narrowed mission echo increasing pessimism on war

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(Newser) – Joe Biden was a lone voice of skepticism on Afghanistan strategy after his fact-finding tour there earlier this year, but many in the White House have gradually swung to his point of view. Biden's perspective that the mission should be narrowed is now favored by administration liberals. The position reflects both Biden's own shift in stance from "liberal hawkishness" and the nation's changing mood, analysts tell the New York Times.

Insiders say Biden's position on Afghanistan was strongly influenced by frustration with the Karzai government's corruption and the lessons learned from Iraq—where, as critics note, he supported the invasion and then opposed the surge. Analysts expect that whatever decision President Obama makes on Afghan strategy, Biden's influence will be apparent, much as Dick Cheney's was on President Bush's choices. "They’re both people who are not hobbled by their own ambitions," noted one consultant.

Joe Biden speaks about his trip to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Pakistan earlier this year.
Joe Biden speaks about his trip to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Pakistan earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Joe Biden arrives to ISAF Regional Command South Headquarters to receive a briefing on activities of coalition forces in Afghanistan in January this year.
Joe Biden arrives to ISAF Regional Command South Headquarters to receive a briefing on activities of coalition forces in Afghanistan in January this year.   (AP Photo/ISAF, Aramis X. Ramirez, HO)
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The Iraq experience has been an important, formative one in the sense that Biden has been much more aware that fighting insurgents is not entirely a military process. - Former national security adviser
Zbigniew Brzezinski

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18 comments
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oldgoat
Oct 14, 09 5:57 AM CDT
At least Biden isn't afraid to speak his mind and I hope that Obama takes all opinions and their arguments before making a decision. I do believe we need to be in Afghanistan and Pakistan and pursue AQ, but if the gov. is corrupt we are fighting with one hand tied behind our backs. Reply
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+4
SilenceDogood
Oct 14, 09 6:27 AM CDT
Well, this debate is good; in the end the current administration will own the decision making process. If the Al-Qaida and Taliban flourish due to non-action then the owners of said decision will be the Democratic Party. Admittedly it is a tough call. Reply
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+2
nick
Oct 14, 09 6:38 AM CDT
Good for Joe Biden. Bad news for the grand-standing, chicken-hawk Republicans, like John Boner, who foolishly demands that the president URGENTLY send 40,000 additional US troops to Afghanistan, and publicly calls Obama weak and incompetent for not doing so. Hey, Boner: have you completely forgotten about the incremental-troop-escalation policy you guys initiated and followed in Iraq, circa 2003-2007? Well let me remind you: It didn't work. Reply
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+2
Citrixguy
Oct 14, 09 7:08 AM CDT
And just how many successful military campaigns has general biden won? Reply
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-3
IN RESPONSE:
Mia
Oct 14, 09 7:52 AM CDT
Is that bad when comparing him to generals that have fucked up entire wars?
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-2

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