Posted on 10/07/2009 8:17:33 PM PDT by nuconvert
The American and British top commanders have recently grumbled, or more than grumbled, about indifferent political responses to their requests for more feet and equipment on the ground in Afghanistan.
U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal and U.K. Lt.-Gen. Jim Dutton, respectively commander and deputy of the NATO force, made very clear that al-Qaeda and the Taliban cannot be pursued effectively with missile strikes. Both seem to have been called on the carpet for speaking this truth too publicly
Yesterday, it appeared that the U.S. defence secretary, Robert Gates -- a holdover from the Bush administration, reappointed to assure U.S. allies and enemies of some continuity in commitments abroad -- was beginning to go public with his own frustrations. He cleverly ramped the pressure on Obama, while directing his criticism at the previous administration: saying that the Taliban had been able to regroup because Bush and company had not sent enough troops.
Hear, hear!
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
David Warren understands like I do what Mr. Suave lacks - those hangy down things.
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.