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| Afghanistan |
| Military growing impatient with Obama on Afghanistan |
| 2009-09-22 |
| Via Long War Journal Six months after it announced its strategy for Afghanistan, the Obama administration is sending mixed signals about its objectives there and how many troops are needed to achieve them. The conflicting messages are drawing increasing ire from U.S. commanders in Afghanistan and frustrating military leaders, who're trying to figure out how to demonstrate that they're making progress in the 12-18 months that the administration has given them. Adding to the frustration, according to officials in Kabul and Washington, are White House and Pentagon directives made over the last six weeks that Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, not submit his request for as many as 45,000 additional troops because the administration isn't ready for it. In the last two weeks, top administration leaders have suggested that more American troops will be sent to Afghanistan, and then called that suggestion "premature." Earlier this month, Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that "time is not on our side"; on Thursday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urged the public "to take a deep breath." The White House didn't respond to requests for comment. Officials willing to speak did so only on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly. In Kabul, some members of McChrystal's staff said they don't understand why Obama called Afghanistan a "war of necessity" but still hasn't given them the resources they need to turn things around quickly. Three officers at the Pentagon and in Kabul told McClatchy that the McChrystal they know would resign before he'd stand behind a faltering policy that he thought would endanger his forces or the strategy. Given the article below, I'd say Gen. McChrystal's time in country is short. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #7 As a community organizer you would think he would organize something. Community organizers create demonstrations. What do demonstrators do? They stand around and spout slogans. As America's community organizer, Ogabe has done a pretty good job, if his objective is defined as getting people to stand around and spout slogans. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2009-09-22 15:16 |
| #6 So did the communities he organized, Steve. |
| Posted by: Woozle Uneter9007 2009-09-22 12:14 |
| #5 As a community organizer you would think he would organize something. Looking at some of the communities he has organized, I'd say "No, thanks!" |
| Posted by: SteveS 2009-09-22 11:38 |
| #4 sounds like General McC might do the honorable thing and resign if 0 rejects the request for troops. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-09-22 10:51 |
| #3 David Letterman, basketball, golf and numerous TV appearances. Amazing. Our soldiers are putting their lives on the line and many have given their lives and what do they get? A commander in chief who is a community organizer. As a community organizer you would think he would organize something. |
| Posted by: Art 2009-09-22 10:48 |
| #2 The worst thing is that his indecision encourages the Taliban and Al Qaeda. He doesn't seem to understand the mentality of these people. Showing weakness is like giving blood to sharks. |
| Posted by: Apostate 2009-09-22 10:30 |
| #1 Congress will have to have their face time in committee hearings over this. If McChrystal is summoned to Washington, it should be very interesting. Is our Commander is Chief a bit indecisive? He has had McChrystal's report for a month. For God's sake put the report on the teleprompter. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2009-09-22 09:14 |