Our Must-Win War

The Washington Post ^ | 2009-03-19 | U.S. Sens. John McCain & Joseph Lieberman

[rabscuttle385]

Later this month, the Obama administration will unveil a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan. This comes as most important indicators in Afghanistan are pointing in the wrong direction. President Obama's decision last month to deploy an additional 17,000 U.S. troops was an important step in the right direction, but a comprehensive overhaul of our war plan is needed, and quickly.

[rabscuttle385]

I hate when John McCain uses the word "comprehensive."

[rabscuttle385]

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[rabscuttle385]

Just as in Iraq, there is no shortcut to success, no clever "middle way" that allows us to achieve more by doing less.

Too bad McCain doesn't think this way when it comes to domestic dealings with the Democrats.

[roamer_1]

That is why it is so important for the president to reject the temptations of minimalism in Afghanistan and instead adopt a fully resourced, comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy, backed by an unambiguous American commitment to success over the long term.

I am afraid I must wholly disagree. The mountains of Afghanistan are an unforgiving place, which have historically broken the back of every army that has ever sought to conquer them.

This is one place where a strong conventional commitment has always proven to be the wrong answer.