Obama Looking for 'Off-Ramps' Out of Afghanistan

So this is why Obama is dithering? What a shock! According to Obama this was the right war.
But then again, people say anything to get elected. And people wonder why Obama is not considerd trustworthy.

The bottom line is that Afghanistan is not as important, politically, as health care. There is no problem in the president slowing down the process for the war in order to deal with getting reform done by the end of the year.

if his plan is to get out, then get out. but don't let soldiers' lives hang in the balance playing political games.

But I thought this was " a war of necessity"--Obama's own words

This weak kneeded, double speaking, code pink type has no fortitude or courage. Unless you consider endlessly campaigning as fortitude.

Let's not forget Al Qaeda and the rest of our enemies must be laughing at the American people for electing a pacifist. And a junior senator with no
record of ever standing up to anything.
Voting present doesn't count when it comes to war.

Typical liberal wimp

Strategies are predicated on exactly what the goal is, and you have to define with accuracy short, medium and long term outcomes. The importance is unless you know where your resources can be drawn, difficulty will be encountered along the way. Example: If we know there is a high degree success within 2-3 yrs. to attain our goal, it is easier to render a decision versus one that is going to commit 7-10 years of involvement.

The ability of achieving success is predicated on the buy in from our allies, and we need to find that level of commitment they are willing to establish and commit to us. If we know the UN, NATO, or any other organization is as committed to the plan as we, it makes it easier to render a decision, and gives us more options and flexibility in our approach to the matter.

The regional conflicts which occur in/and around Afghanistan is going to determine the how, when, where, why's of the matter. If we do not have commitment from the partners in that region, we are fighting a war that will carry on and may expand in breadth throughout the region. That is a sizeable consideration in the final decisions we make.

Short, mid and long range plans are only good if they are achievable. if not the mere fact we are undertaking something of this magnitude without solid and concrete commitment from all parties and peoples will blow up in our faces. Is that a commitment we need, want and willing to take?

JR JAKE

Well stated.

Unfortunately, Obama is an apologist and way too inexperienced to stand up to the UN and NATO and say, "this is the line in the sand. Join us, in this "war of necessity" or don't expect anymore American tax dollars."

More than likely he is looking for a scapegoat. Someone else to throw under the bus.

Some leader, huh?

War is a foolish game and no one wins.
I hoped that we had discovered that after the tragedy of Vietnam.
Even our Military Leaders agreed later
that it was a horrible mistake.
How many more young men and women and their families must suffer?...how much more blood shed?
We need to be an example to the World Community...not a military bully.
Let's wage peace, bring our troops home
and concentrate on Healthcare not Warfare. Shalom,Salaam,Paz,Peace,Joy Hamlat in California

The U.S. wears many coats, and some view us as war-mongers, but what they fail to realize is we are the most charitable nation on earth. When there is a catastrophe, the US is the first to step up in helping others. We are steeped in charity and that is a belief/mantra we have held for a long time.

Whatever the decision, we need to establish a business relationship with this part of the world that will benefit them (people) and our business community as well. They lack in the basic necessities, their infrastructure is extremely poor from roadways, to water systems, to crop production, to distribution, to education, to medical needs abound everywhere.

There will be resistance of some of the extremists in that part of the world who oppose changing of the guard when it comes to helping the people. We cannot change their way of life unless there is willingness on their part to create change. That has to come from the government themselves, their military and their allies. Diplomacy has to be the mindset in creating this change.

The people want change and it is up to them to create change in the mid and long range. The government leadership is crucial for short term change because they can negotiate with their enemies in the field to the strife in that region so that new programs can be started.

From a military perspective I believe that should always be the last resort to settle differences. One of the problems in this region is the ideology, but history is steeped in distrust of others interfering in their affairs. The problem when you deal with ideologies is you never know who your friend and your enemy is because perception is clouded by the moment.

The bottom line is just who are we fighting, history, ideology, religion, a physical body, or are we chasing a 'ghost'? With nuclear warheads and the threat of in this region, we need to be very careful in our approach. Work smart, profitably for both sides, and not necessarily hard in our approach.

"""There is no problem in the president slowing down the process for the war in order to deal with getting reform done by the end of the year. """

Posted by: Matt

Are you serious? When a nation is at war, there can be only one top priority, the war. Obviously, you are not fighting in Afghanistan right? How selfish and inconsiderate to our troops. You're an American disgrace.

"Intellectual energy?" The rest of us want him to expend some energy doing SOMETHING. Anything other than campaigning. Poor Obama -- he has to actually make a decision that will cost him something politically. And that's not a decision he'll ever make.

He had his reports. He's had them for months. In the meantime, how many Americans have died while he vacillates, unable to make up his stupid mind?

JR Jake--------- We already trusted our allies and they failed. WE need to commit or get out. Obama needs to make a decision. Now I know McChrystal is a good friend of Obama's, because any other decent General would have resigned in protest of the CiC not supporting him with resources.

He's had 10 freekin' months to contemplate our actions in Afghanistan. It's 3AM Mr. President and you need to answer the call.

".... It's 3AM Mr. President and you need to answer the call."

Posted by: lfrichar | Nov 11, 2009 9:17:26 AM
-----------------------
Agreed! The only piece missing is you being at the White House. If you were there, everthing would've been done by now! Please don't miss this opportunity next time around. We cannot waste such intelligence. What were we thinking!

parrothead ------- If I was screaming, I would capitalize my words. I would back Obama whether he withdraws or commits, but this is silly. We pay him to make decisions, he should make one.

parrothead

This article is about the U.S.'s number 1 priority and our President's decision, or lack thereof.

What should he chime in about? Healthcare reform? Palin? Bush? Cheney? etc...?

Perhaps "ifrichar" has a close relative, or 2 or 3, in Afghanistan and is passionate about the subject.

Obama has no idea, of any solution to the Afghan problem.

He is not willing to have a major expansion of the war (nor can the country afford to), and yet, to withdraw, will make everything done so far, a total waste.

It is a catch-22, and everyone knows it, who understands the situation.

Even the UN wants no part of it.

The only solution, really, is to move all the people who want a better life, elsewhere, and allow the Taliban to have the country, with a total blockade, of nothing in or out. If they survive, fine, if they don't, that's their problem.

Getting other countries to do their part, in enforcing the blockade, will of course, be the hard part. Most haven't got the gumption to do so. They would rather condone the behavior of the Taliban.

parrothead and David ----- Maybe both of you should be in the WH. After only 3 small posts here, you seem to have figured me out! Obama is weak on foreign policy.

"The only solution, really, is to move all the people who want a better life, elsewhere"--Rick MacDaniel

How about your neighborhood?

Personally, I think we import enough 3rd worlders.

Come lets get out of that place already. Or at leat 90% get out. What would happen if we left tomorrow???? I'll tell you. The wrold certainly wouldnt end, we would save US lives, Save billions in dollars and strengthen our military by doing so. Come on we might not have captured Bin Laden but we did weaken them the Taliban

enough already -- Good call. I have 2 nephews there now and lost one there last year. it tends to make you passionate when your 21 year old nephew made the sacrifice. Thanks for your post.

Here's an exit plan, bring our people home and the next time the world has an oppressive regime like the Taliban or Sadam Hussain say it's none of our business.
Rise up and help your self or shut up. Also cut off ALL foreign aid. The US does more for the world then anyone else and yet were hated. So stop helping and see what the world thinks.

hkdakota

That is the best plan I've seen yet.

I don't know if you saw the article on ABC last week, but African nations are saying that the U.S. is extending their misery by helping them get food to their inhabitants.

Some gratitude. I stopped giving to these ingrates long ago. If only our goverment leaders had any cajones.

I think many people don't realize that Obama cannot simply say "get out now. There are many political forces influencing his decision: (The military industrial complex for one.) I do wish he would have more of a backbone stand up and be decisive. This whole war is a joke. We really do need to get out, and get out now.

"Obama “wants to see more intellectual energy” focused on how this mission ends"

Uh, how about winning?

During the election campaign it became obvious to many Obama lacked foreign policy experience, we are now seeing that.

Instead of looking how to win the mission (war), we should be looking at an exit strategy, because like the Russians already know, you can't win in Afghanistan. Especially with a corrupt regime like Karzai and no NATO backing for the mission. In fact most of our allies are starting to see the similarities to this war and Vietnam.

The Afghans must start the process themselves to stop the drug producing that enables the Taliban to fund their fight with the U.S.