Military growing impatient with Obama on Afghanistan

McClatchy Newspapers ^ | Friday, 09.18.09 | NANCY A. YOUSSEF

[MestaMachine]

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.> snip

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. >snip

The White House still hasn't decided how much political capital it wants to invest in Afghanistan, and it considers a health care overhaul, financial regulatory revisions and energy policy its priorities, the senior defense official said.

In Kabul, however, U.S. commanders said they thought that Obama's strategy was based on McChrystal's assessment of what he needs. "We thought that bringing McChrystal here was their strategy," one said.

Those officials said that taking time could be costly because the U.S. risked losing the Afghans' support. "Dithering is just as destructive as 10 car bombs," the senior official in Kabul said. "They have seen us leave before. They are really good at picking the right side to ally with."

[DoorGunner]

Hear! Hear!

[Islaminaction]

http://islaminaction08.blogspot.com/2009/08/us-military-leaders-bowing-down-to.html

[penelopesire]

I wasn’t rolling eyes at you. It was directed towards this usurper in chief that we are stuck with. Sorry for any confusion.

[Soothesayer9]

But..Obama just wants to enjoy his waffle.

Cant he just enjoy his waffle?

[Soothesayer9]

I think it would look better with a Confederate flag.

Just sayin. :)

[randomhero97]

In before SoCalPol

[Captain Kirk]

Nobody has conquered Afghanistan in hundreds of years. Bush couldn't do it. What you makes that Obama can even if he pursues a "winning" strategy? Besides, who do you conquer it from? The Taliban is not an entity per se but a loose collection of clans and warlords. The same could be said for Karza who steals elections. Both sides will switch loyalties without thinking twice. Also, how do you intend to pay for this war? We're bankrupt.

Let me ask you a final question: do you think conservatives should give Obama moe money and troops and if asks to deploy them? I submit that if we really want to emphasize national security we will stop policing the world.

[Captain Kirk]

And are you arguing that Bush was “winning” back in November in Afghanistan? That was a futile crusade long before Obama took office.

[444Flyer]

WOW. Outstanding and well written article. (In the lead too...)

[444Flyer]

ROTFL!!!!!!!!!!!

[Captain Kirk]

Besides, please note that Bush sensibly OPPOSED sending sending more troops, even those Obama has sent it thus far. Now...are people on this thread criticizing Obama for allegedly returning to the Bush policy in this regard? What the hell do folks want here?

[LittleMoe]

I seemed to recall a head count every time we turned on the TV when Bush was in. I dont recall seeing any of the news channels covering how many men dead on O’s watch.

[Islaminaction]

Thanks Flyer! Patton would of had none of this.

[dools007]

Wrong. We must do something. “The military” is our sons, daughters, moms, dads, aunts and uncles. Time to unload the “they” mindset. If the two courageous ACORN outers can make a difference we all can.

[dennisw]

A lot of the people Obama appointed are happy to see our troops die ....see them as fighting for American imperialism. Obama might do this to

They laugh at their deaths
They are anarchists and nihilists

[FDNYRHEROES]

might be a good time for career military to retire....
like they did in droves under Clinton.

Unfortunately, CNO Mike Boorda chose another way out...RIP Mike

[randomhero97]

Nobody has conquered Afghanistan in hundreds of years.

The only way to conquer Afghanistan is through a scorched Earth strategy. Of course, nation building seems to be working out just fine. /s

[jongaltsr]

Not worth a **** if you’ve got your butt under fire.

Not if he has to sign off on each and every detail before sending soldiers out to fight". Give names, dates, specifics, do's and don'ts and see if he signs. If he doesn't, then sign your name and clarify that orders were given but responsibility was refused.

[wintertime]

I wish the military would grow impatient about Obama’s undocumented status.

[MestaMachine]

REPOST from AUGUST:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2317891/posts

Monday, August 17, 2009 11:40:20 AM · 39 of 55
MestaMachine to Alberta's Child

Nope. Looks like they're culturally "sensitizing" Marine Women. MARINES!!! GOD help us.

KHAWJA JAMAL, Afghanistan — Put on body armor, check weapons, cover head and shoulders with a scarf.
That was the drill for female American Marines who set out on patrol this week with a mission to make friends with Afghan women in a war zone by showing respect for Muslim standards of modesty.