Posted on 10/06/2009 8:03:41 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
* Gates' remarks suggest he is likely to favor more troops
* Counterinsurgency plus counterterrorism approach likely
* Opinion divided about whether it will work
WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The Obama administration is strongly considering a war strategy that incorporates at least some additional forces in Afghanistan alongside a stepped up campaign against al Qaeda and Taliban targets in Pakistan.
The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a key player, is undecided about next steps.
But he has publicly said many of his earlier reservations about adding forces have been addressed and remains a strong proponent of counter-insurgency strategy, signals that he may be leaning toward a further buildup.
Combining an expanded counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan with more counterterrorism operations inside Pakistan's tribal areas would be consistent with the administration's existing strategy, launched in March.
Stephen Cohen, an expert at the Brookings Institution think tank, said it was "inconceivable" that Obama would abandon a counterinsurgency strategy so soon after launching it.
"This is an experimental science," he said. "We won't know if it will work until we try it."
Administration officials said, however, some changes were needed to take into account both advances by the Taliban over the last six months and U.S. doubts about President Hamid Karzai's legitimacy following August's fraud-marred election.
An alternative to the current strategy, backed by Vice President Joe Biden, would focus more narrowly on al Qaeda targets with airstrikes but officials said that did not mean the roughly 65,000 U.S. troops would be pulled out in the foreseeable future.
Obama has shown a disposition for the middle ground when other policies have run into trouble, and his Afghanistan strategy could follow the same pattern.
This approach could have political advantages at home, even if opinion is divided about whether it would be successful........
(Excerpt) Read more at alertnet.org ...
If we do not end Muslim immigration we will eventually lose. Geert Wilders would be the first politician to end it if he gets the power.
The border with Pakistan needs to be sealed. Permanantly, and forces put in to do that job, and the rear areas secured. Stop fiddling aroound Dems and let the professionals handle the war.
No more community organizing ROEs!
Lose Afghanistan, Lose Pakistan, Lose Iran, Lose It All
Nuke Afghanistan, Nuke Pakistan, Nuke Iran, Win It All
we need to adopt the policy that the Prime Minister of Australia announced: you come to this country, you take on our country’s values, if you don’t like it then you can leave. (Get OUT!)
I wish we would close the Mosques down, and tell Muslims that this is a Judeo-Christian country, and that if you wish to further your Muslim faith, go to the middle east!
He just wants to vote “Present”.!!!
So your in Arizona where that good Sheriff is getting attacked by Homeland Security for doing a good job rounding up illegals...did you see that on Drudge?
We can’t keep the moslems or the Illegals out, why? Somebody is making money off of both. Who and how and why?
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