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Subscribe to RSSThe White House today said that President Obama will make a decision about the size of the troop withdrawal in Afghanistan “fairly soon,” and he will base it on “conditions on the ground.” White House officials also said the troop drawdown will begin in July, as originally planned.
The announcement comes on the heels of a New York Times article, which reported:
President Obama’s national security team is contemplating troop reductions that would be steeper than those discussed even a few weeks ago.
Administration officials reacted by saying Obama is planning a “real drawdown” of U.S. forces. However, according to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, the specifics have not been worked out. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton echoed Carney’s remarks saying, “We have absolutely not made specific decisions, because we’re still gathering our best assessment.”
The president today held his monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan with his national security team. During the meeting, Defense Secretary Robert Gates -- via video -- briefed the president on his recent trip to Afghanistan. Over the weekend, Gates met with troops and called for a “modest” drawdown adding: “I’d leave the shooters till last.”
In 2009, Obama ordered 30,000 more troops into Afghanistan, and also promised to begin a drawdown this July. He also stated that all combat troops would be out of Afghanistan by 2014, a timetable which is still in place, according to Carney.
The president has been under increasing pressure on Afghanistan for a number of reasons: The war has been expensive, costing America an estimated $2 billion per week; some polls show it losin public support; and there is a collective sense that, after Osama Bin Laden’s death, it is time to turn the corner.
Overall, there seems to be a growing fatigue for combat operations among both Democrats and Republicans. Last Friday, the House overwhelmingly issued a rebuke of Obama's Libya policy. On Monday, five U.S. troops were killed in Iraq during a rocket attack -- several months before the proposed departure of all U.S. troops from that country. Still, some military officials have expressed concern that an accelerated drawdown in Afghanistan could undermine security gains in the region.
Obama will discuss the matter with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday (via videoconference). There are currently U.S. 100,000 troops in Afghanistan.
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Remove all the troops, kill the poppy fields and then they can have their civil war.
We don't need to shed another drop of American blood for Karzai and his minions.
at first this sounds harsh but we did it in vietnam, it's time to do it in afghanistan. we could remain in afghanistan for the an entire lifetime, it would not make any difference.
Draw down the troops to pre surge levels and get the Afghan Army into the fight. At $2 billion per week and, more importantly, the loss of American life, we need to question why we are still there. Is staying in Afghanistan in our national interest? I don't think so. Certainly, after 10 years, the Afghan Army should be ready to shoulder the bulk of the fight.
You plan has no chance for success. Kirby has it right pull out, kill the poppy and let them fight it out. Not our problem.
We are in agreement for once, Spanky.
Spanky-
You plan has no chance for success. Kirby has it right pull out, kill the poppy and let them fight it out. Not our problem.
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It became our problem the second we put boots on the ground and chased the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. There are people there who worked with us, for us and collaborated with us. A Taliban takeover and they are dead. Not even a slight doubt in my mind. We need to get these people to safety, not like we did in Viet Nam and Cambodia where we left the people that helped us behind and at the mercy of the Viet Cong and Khmer Rouge.
As for the women of Afghanistan, they lose all rights and privileges they've acquired while we supported the government. I don't see how anything we do can help them.
Kill the poppies. How do you propose to do that? Do you think we can just burn the field or bomb them without opposition?
So I say a gradual pull out, sort of a VietNaminization of the war. Same as we did in Iraq. Train the army, they take over, while in a non combat roll.
This latest killing in Afghanistan is just another reason to get out. After 10 years and still having major casualties only proves being there is not having the positive effect once thought.
We have sacrificed enough lives and money.
Afghan's have had plenty of time to learn to defend themselves and fight their own battle. If they haven't, it's time for their survival instinct to kick in
Triple AMEN to the above comments.
AGREED!
Obama is trying to get us out from Iraq- GOP criticizes- the phrase goes- he is setting dates!!! Discussing with allies the intervention involving in /preventing+averting mass killing in Libya more offence to the Republican; any step in getting our men home, opponents of our president say he hates America...which I believe is not true- he loves love his country. Let's know that many nations had fought in Afghanistan before us and the President knows this history- an ancient land- these are tribal Islam people with extreme sentiments and folkways/ mores- God is Real to them as is real to us- but reason is not always- to put it mildly- part of the calculus for our friends over there as is for some evangelist / right-wing Christians in this old USA; Please- stop the hate and let us work with our president and support him -he is an American & born in this county - those in leadership positions- are all patriots; history will record what American did by electing this man as president of this great country-it will be remembered- i.e., pls. read and listen to his recent address to the British joint house/Parliament+ a credit to this nation--- on c-span; I love this county my adopted home...I became a man here...whether American re-elect the president because of economy or other grounds, we should be proud of what we did and what he is doing and I think president Bush did his best too- people love what we have- the freedom and free election +other things. Democrats and Republicans should not put 2012 politics ahead of Americans-work together!!! God will put the right man in office whether you or me like him/her or not- there is always contingencies- that is why we are not God-He knows everything- love you all and sorry for any mistake in construction- I try to condense and please eschew inchoate arrangement therein... Again, let me repeat- Christ said let's love one another/ neighbors & all of us share in what we call HUMANITY/ one origin... -it may be profitable to hate others and stereotype people for short time gains-based on anything, overall and in the long run, it profit none:- we all go thru difficulty on this earth- our home and joy is with the Lord. -aribo/servant of Christ
There will be a small "token" reduction in July so he can keep a campaign promise but we will still be in there for a long time. Hillary and Kerry made it clear after Bin Laden was killed that we will be keeping to our failed policies of giving Pakistan BILLIONS and keeping the war going in Afghanistan. Remember how they ran right out and made statements about how important it is to keep our back stabbing "freinds" in Pakistan on the gravy train, we wouldn't want to "cut off our nose to spite our face" (Kerry's words) and let this cash cow die!