An Evolving Afghan Policy

It appears as if the Administration is split over how to proceed in Afghanistan, a split they cannot afford to have.

General Stanley McChrystal wants an additional 30,000-40,000 troops, something Admiral Michael Mullen and General David Petraeus support and Secretary Clinton and Richard Holbrooke are leaning toward. On the other hand Vice-President Biden and National Security Advisor Jones do not. Secretary Gates is on the fence.

This is a problem that needs to be amended quickly. President Obama, lacking in experience, is dependent on these advisers and when a split of such proportions exists, he is in trouble. Whereas he does in fact need to listen to his advisers he also must choose a side and stick to it, preferably in favor of sending more troops.

Afghanistan cannot be lost. If the US was to pullout it would be an enormous triumph for the forces of Islamic extremism, al-Qaeda would once again gain a foothold, and the return of the Taliban would likely destabilize Pakistan. If he decides against it, also his campaign rhetoric of committing to Afghanistan will appear to be all for nought.

He does have an important decision to make; go all in, in a counterinsurgency campaign that succeeded in Iraq, and is manpower intensive, continue strategic assaults with UAVs and Special Forces units, as Biden is recommending, or as many in his party and especially the left wing are saying, leave entirely. It is time for President Obama to sit down, listen to all sides in his Cabinet, and make a choice.