Posted on 09/18/2009 7:48:21 PM PDT by markomalley
Six months after it announced its strategy for Afghanistan, the Obama administration is sending mixed signals about its objectives there and how many troops are needed to achieve them.
The conflicting messages are drawing increasing ire from U.S. commanders in Afghanistan and frustrating military leaders, who are trying to figure out how to demonstrate that they're making progress in the 12-18 months that the administration has given them.
Adding to the frustration, according to officials in Kabul and Washington, are White House and Pentagon directives made over the last six weeks that Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, not submit his request for as many as 45,000 additional troops because the administration isn't ready for it.
In the last two weeks, top administration leaders have suggested that more American troops will be sent to Afghanistan, and then called that suggestion "premature." Earlier this month, Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that "time is not on our side"; on Thursday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urged the public "to take a deep breath."
The White House didn't respond to requests for comment. Officials willing to speak did so only on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly.
In Kabul, some members of McChrystal's staff said they don't understand why Obama called Afghanistan a "war of necessity" but still hasn't given them the resources they need to turn things around quickly.
Three officers at the Pentagon and in Kabul told McClatchy Newspapers that the McChrystal they know would resign before he would stand behind a faltering policy that he thought would endanger his forces or the strategy.
(Excerpt) Read more at miamiherald.com ...
From what I read the “new” policy of engagement has cost American lives.
If you think he cares about the welfare of America or our troops then you are dreaming.
Those defense missiles to protect Poland and the Czech Republic were also vital to protect us. Sen. Inhofe said so tonight. They were needed to stop any missiles coming to America in midflight when it is easiest to intercept them.
The louse dithers and our heroes die.
Damn him.
“Marines are dying for Islam.”
That is so wrong! Obama is such a sc&^bag!
Optimistic timeline.
Adding to the frustration, according to officials in Kabul and Washington, are White House and Pentagon directives made over the last six weeks that Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, not submit his request for as many as 45,000 additional troops because the administration isn't ready for it.I like to think that this is about the upcoming liberation of Iran. The US forces in Iraq have very little to do now, but haven't been brought home.
Sucks that it’ll take that long.
AMEN!!!!
By not making a decision one way or another, Obama is personally responsible for deaths of American soldiers.
And he knows it.
Hey, zer0! Stop with the half-measures. Either all-in or all-out. Pick one, dumba$$.
Yes it is so wrong. Our troops in Afghanistan are being set up to lose.
Judge Carter - Sir you need to protect our troops and The Constitution. You may be our only hope. No more delays on the case. Marines are dying.
Obama is U.S. forces' LBJ.
Obama won't risk losing support for domestic agenda by helping military.
.. and that measured response thing again? Oval Office interfering with day-to-day combat missions, too?
Me too. It is Lyndon Johnson all over again: no willingness to commit to action leading to military victory out of fear of reactions leading to political defeat.
We need to send the Marines....to the Whitehouse.
He doesn’t care. Our men and women in uniform are little more than little plastic Army Men to him.
That doesn't explain the ROE that McChrystal came up with now does it? That being said, Obama is really ticking people off big time. Everyone should be complaining to their reps of his mamby pamby lack of leadership. Obama should stick to running for office because it's the only thing he knows how to do.
I'll be offering Special Intentions for GEN McChrystal as often as I can.
My initial instincts about him were wrong.
Seven Days In May.
_______________________
I think our military is going to come to the nation’s rescue.
I think so.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.