Politics is always an important consideration when a nation is at war. The decision to either increase our efforts in Afghanistan in order to win a victory (which could be defined as the elimination of the risk of a Taliban reconquest of that state and the elimination of a significant al Qaeda presence int he area) versus beginning an orderly withdrawal is the single most important decision the President must make. Our men and women are fighting and dieing to protect their country. This mission was once called the most important front in the war on terror by our President. Of course that was while he was campaigning and loathe to allow himself to be depicted as a soft-on-defence democrat.
I believe that withdrawing would be a disaster, giving new life to the Taliban, al Qaeda, and Islamic supremacists everywhere. However, far worse, from a moral and strategic point of view, would be to posture and dither, allowing our military men and women to be used as political pawns, dieing for a mission that is not supported by their Commander-in-Chief who is reluctant to make a decision that he would have to bear responsibility for.
President Obama has met only once with General McCrystal, has put his report on the back burner, and appears to be practicing a foreign policy that requires no confrontation with anyone willing, and minimally able, to fight back.
I fear our President is not only craven but does not value the lives of our military men and women.
My sons have friends in theater at this moment. I think they should have the support and full confidence of their Commander-in-Chief. They deserve a decision from the man who we elected to make these decisions. The longer he delays the more it will appear to be that his primary consideration is to delay any reckoning until after he can find a way to escape being held accountable. I doubt he can succeed at avoiding accountability; whatever he decides will have reverberations. The least he can do is make the decision.
Is the location of the Olympics more important? Appearing on Letterman? Do your job, Mr. President. Lives depend on it.
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