dagblog - Comments for "Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Obama's 3 Options"

Wired has another link from

NCD — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:20:41 +0000

Wired has another link from the same reporter, David Axe, from a few months ago in Logar Province, Afghanistan, where he describes going along on a Petraeus COIN (counter-insurgency) mission to one of the Afghan border provinces where the kids throw rocks at the Americans, the elders are unfriendly, the soccer balls are given away, and on leaving the troops and Axe are blown up by an IED while riding in a MRAP vehicle.

The story reinforces the insanity of Petraeus and the Pentagon in trying to 'win the hearts and minds' of folks in those regions.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/03/blown-to-hell/all/1

Yes, saw an article yesterday

NCD — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:41:52 +0000

In reply to It's really none of the

Yes, saw an article yesterday that said the US Generals were all set to surge right up to the Pakistan border, and 'secure' it and the local Afghan provinces. The Obama troop cuts will deny them that crazy plan for endless fighting, which might spill over into incursions into Pakistan, where all the terrorists live, rest up, receive arms and find sanctuary.

The GWOT is a gift that keeps on giving for Pak to the tune of billions from the US, which is why Pak harbors the likes of OBL, al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Pak wants to keep the war going forever. Obama's recent moves to demand action from Pak have pissed them off, they much preferred the blank checks from Dubya days, free money and weapons, with no accountability for getting the bad guys on their side of the border.

I suppose if the Pentagon couldn't secure the Afghan-Pak border by 2014 the next step would be enforcing a demilitarized zone in Pak, followed by drone bombing terrorists hiding within the ISI in Islamamommabadd.

It's really none of the

anonymous — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:55:22 +0000

In reply to Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Obama's 3 Options

It's really none of the above. See Spencer Ackerman

www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/06/obama-wont-use-troops-to-save-afghan-he...

I haven't kept up with the

Resistance — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:31:19 +0000

In reply to No. I believe the crooked

I haven't kept up with the sub -Saharan Africa and the Chinese, could you share your perspective?

It would be good if you're

we are stardust — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:15:19 +0000

In reply to Both he and the Irish know

It would be good if you're right; it is election season, so maybe he's listening better.

Both he and the Irish know

NCD — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:22:51 +0000

In reply to Okay; I'm all misty and want

Both he and the Irish know what they are facing. One gets the impression Obama connects with people and is liked and respected, which is more than could be said of his shoe dodging predecessor.

His bolder than expected decision on the Afghan pullout may indicate he is gaining some confidence to move on his own on issues at home and abroad that need American leadership. The GOP, Fox News, Koch and Co. and the know nothing voters of the right wing base will be fighting him every step, of course.

Okay; I'm all misty and want

we are stardust — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:04:43 +0000

In reply to Correct, 2012 to end the

Okay; I'm all misty and want a Guiness. Now what? I say how nice he thinks 'springtime's just around the corner' and 'yes we can'? Does he have a clue what we are facing out here in not-DeeCee? Not sure where you are going with this... Does he know what the Irish are facing?

Correct, 2012 to end the

NCD — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:32:57 +0000

In reply to Actually, they said "...that

Correct, 2012 to end the surge.

On another topic, I highly recommend the video at this link, 6+ minutes, of Obama, wife and kids in their recent trip to Ireland.

Video has some great photo's, video clips and audio of some of the speeches he gave, signs said 'Welcome Home' and the crowds filled the streets. Obama even downs a Guinness in an Irish pub, and picks up a few Irish kids to the delight of their parents.

Video at: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheObamaDiary#p/u/3/j7N4rECdHPo

Actually, they said "...that

we are stardust — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:16:17 +0000

In reply to NYT : withdrawal of 10,000

Actually, they said "...that he will order the withdrawal of 10,000 American troops from Afghanistan this year, and another 20,000 troops, the remainder of the 2009 “surge,” by the end of next summer, according to administration officials and diplomats briefed on the decision."

'The end of next summer' is 2012, not 2011, if I'm doing the math right. And a letter going out soon to the Prez from John Garamamendi, and 46 others or so asking for more significant drawdowns NOW.

Why the hell they don't figure out what the Pashtuns are fighting for is beyond me; makes you think our presence there isn't about peace or stability at all.

No. I believe the crooked

Michael Maiello — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:48:56 +0000

In reply to Do you believe,as long as

No. I believe the crooked Chinese government will strike all sorts of crooked deals with the crooked Karzai government, that will include a flood of cheaply made Chinese weapons into the region, which will initially be distributed to the Afghan security forces but will all wind up in the hands of the Taliban, who will suck the Chinese into a never ending conflict and teach them a thing or two about wanting to be an empire.

The first part of this has already happened in sub-Saharan Africa. The second part could only happen in Afghanistan. We should leave and let China blunder into its own quagmire.