Obama Rejects Afghan War Options

President wants modified plans, timetables

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2009 6:39 AM CST | Updated Nov 12, 2009 7:45 AM CST

(Newser) – President Obama refused to accept any of the Afghanistan war options presented to him in yesterday's 2 1/2 hour strategy meeting, the AP reports, as concerns soar over the leadership of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the ability of a corrupt Afghan government to eventually secure its own country. Obama asked for modified choices, including different troop counts and length of deployments, and for specific timelines in each scenario for turning over control to Afghan forces, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Obama's call for more options comes as his own ambassador in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, voiced strong misgivings about a US troop increase, centered on a concern that bolstering the American presence in Afghanistan could make the country more reliant on the US, not less. While Obama is expected to send in more troops, the message yesterday seemed to be that won't accept an open-ended US commitment.

In this image released by the White House, President Barack Obama meets with his national security team to discuss Afghanistan in Situation Room of the White House in Washington, Nov. 11, 2009. (Pete Souza)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 20 comments

fancygapva

Nov 13, 2009 2:23 AM CST

They are already armed.

fancygapva

Nov 13, 2009 2:22 AM CST

Sadsacker? You're really George W. aren't you! I'd know that spelling, punctuation and those trite phrases anywhere. The military's job is "to fight wars." How many did you fight, hon? Feeling sad now that the party's over and the new President is having to clean up the mess? Just go clear some brush. You'll feel better....

rkossik

Nov 12, 2009 12:46 PM CST

Iraq and Afghanistan are quagmires. We can choose continue to sacrifice lives and money there with little to show for it, but eventually we will leave. Better sooner than later.

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Afghanistan • Barack Obama • Hamid Karzai • Afghanistan war • Afghanistan exit strategy • Karl Eikenberry

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Obama Rejects Afghan War Options

President wants modified plans, timetables

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Afghanistan • Barack Obama • Hamid Karzai • Afghanistan war • Afghanistan exit strategy • Karl Eikenberry

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US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

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France will withdraw combat troops by the end of 2013

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President wants modified plans, timetables

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • Barack Obama • Hamid Karzai • Afghanistan war • Afghanistan exit strategy • Karl Eikenberry

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

White House Rolls Out Red Carpet for Karzai

Afghan leader comes to DC for (likely strained) talks

In Afghanistan Debate, Obama Focuses on Exit

White House wants to make sure surge will enable handover

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Sarkozy Wants Out of Afghanistan Next Year

France will withdraw combat troops by the end of 2013

Afghanistan: We Need Aid Through 2024—or Longer

Karzai wants political, military support until then, financial aid until 2030

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Newser By Users

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