Posted on 09/22/2009 10:13:14 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
NEW YORK (AFP) – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pushed back against the US military's blunt warning that the battle against insurgents in Afghanistan would likely be lost within a year without more US troops.
Clinton's comments in an interview with PBS television late Monday came amid reports that the Pentagon has asked General Stanley McChrystal, the top commander in Afghanistan, to delay a request for more troops.
Clinton expressed "respect" for McChrystal's assessment that the United States would likely lose the war in Afghanistan within a year without more US forces.
"But I can only tell you there are other assessments from very expert military analysts who have worked in counter-insurgencies that are the exact opposite," she said.
Her remarks were the latest sign of stiffening resistance within President Barack Obama's administration to a major escalation in the US commitment in Afghanistan, and a growing rift over the issue between civilian leaders and the military.
The Wall Street Journal, citing defense officials, reported that US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has asked McChrystal to delay submitting his request for more troops until the completion of a review of the US war effort.
McChrystal's assessment was leaked to the Washington Post a day after Obama, who faces sliding support for the war both within the Congress and among the US public, defended the delay in making a decision about additional troops.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
“But I can only tell you there are other assessments from very expert military analysts who have worked in counter-insurgencies that are the exact opposite,” she said.
Let me guess: Wesley Clark.
LOL
Name them.
AHHHH....the O admins answer to McChrystal. Trying to protect Dear Leader.
What does a failed, no ethics, lawyer no about winning a war???
this witch doesnt mind one bit letting soldiers die to promote her agenda and line her pockets with gold.
General Hillary Clinton
I guess burning Waco counts as counter insurgency work.
They want hime to delay his request??????? Because they don’t want to be seen delaying their response.
Let me guess, the go date for the request will be the day after Gubment Death Treatment is passed.
Why is State involved in this? Why does she hang around? Is Obama setting her up to be under the bus with so many others? This admin seems to love investigating past administrations, I wonder if they have some files they can threaten her with?
Ping.
Playing the part of Les Aspin........Hillary Clinton!
And Ms Clinton, when did you graduate from freaking WAR COLLEGE???
My first guess as well!
It would also be enlightening to know why the president thinks he needs another 6-8 WEEKS to decide what to do next...
“But I can only tell you there are other assessments from very expert military analysts who have worked in counter-insurgencies that are the exact opposite,” she said.
“I’m not going to tell you who they are mind you but they
said if we do nothing we can still win...at least I
think that’s what they said.”
It will be around thanksgiving day and he can make his withdrawal announcement the day before for least possible exposure.
If Obama, Clinton and McChrystal were playing Risk who would win every time?
The arrogance of these people is stunning.
Why 6 to 8 weeks? Cuz lawyers don’t lead. They represent their clients, argue and parse words - like the meaning of “is”.
It’ll be very interesting to see which side SecDef Gates takes as this begins to slide down hill...
They put McChrystal in charge and gave him the responsibility for the mission. It shouldn't matter that someone else doesn't agree with his assessment. They need to give him the tools and resources that he's asking for and let him fight the war.
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