Posted on 10/15/2009 6:27:30 PM PDT by jazusamo
National security adviser James L. Jones - the president's point man in a momentous debate on U.S. policy in Afghanistan - has repeatedly shifted his assessments of the war as he transformed himself from a top Marine general to a civilian adviser in recent years.
Mr. Jones declared as recently as 2006 that the Taliban had been tactically neutralized by coalition forces in southern Afghanistan.
In the ensuing years, though, he has warned that the Taliban is expanding its reach while offering varying opinions on whether more U.S. troops are needed to fight them, a review of his public statements shows.
In an interview with The Washington Times, the former Marine general and NATO commander acknowledged his views on Afghanistan have soured in the three years since he left the military. He said security in Afghanistan had deteriorated "because of the [U.S.] failure to see the interaction of security, development, and governance and rule of law."
"I think that is coming clear in spades now, that the failure - the tendency to focus so much on troop strength and not enough on the other factors, the development of the national Afghan police, for example which was on life support for so many years, the development of the Afghan National Army, which has never really gone fast enough - those are things that as we developed a strategy that was released in March were clearly highlighted. And now everybody is turning full-scale attention to them," Mr. Jones said.
As President Obama's national security adviser, Mr. Jones plays the pivotal role of referee in an intense administration debate over whether to shift strategy and increase troop levels for the second time this year.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
I don’t understand how a Marine can serve that man.
I know there are libs everywhere, but...I just can’t see it.
You’re not alone, he’s all over the board.
I’ve been stumped by his public statements until I searched for his bio.
Seems his early education was in Paris, no, not Parris Island, Paris France. What’s with the Corps top brass? First Zinni and now this guy.
Yes, a FReeper pointed that out on a thread when it was first announced about Jones and I believe he was correct, he nailed it.
It’s politics. As a General it is all about politics, only in this case its politics in the sense of a civilian and not as a Marine. He is attempting to further his poltical career, however with this being his path of choice it may more likely be the end of it. Having met the General in person, and being a Marine Veteran myself, I am extremely disappointed. I do hope that he realizes his blunder, and cuts all ties with ZERO.
Thanks, I hope so too.
IMHO the enemy has pretty much been defeated in Iraq. They are now transferring their resources to Afghanistan. That is why Afghanistan has been deteriorating. The troop buildup will counter that.
I agree if Zer0 okays the additional troops needed but that doesn’t seem to be a sure thing yet, plus we’ve got Biden and a lot of libs screaming bloody murder about sending more forces.
Jones is a Parisian. We have to face the reality. And running NATO did not help him. How he ever became Commandant of the Marine Corps. is beyond me. And he knew very well when asked to take this current position what the supposed CIC is really comprised of. The doo doo continues to rise.
Agree, MU. Like someone said earlier, he’s disappointing.
>> How he ever became Commandant of the Marine Corps. is beyond me.
Jones did one tour in VN; that was the earliest way station in his career.
Ever since then, his career path seems more that of a politician than a warfighter. As far as I can tell (correct me if I’m wrong), since being a junior officer in Vietnam he has NEVER been a line officer leading troops in combat. Just held a variety of staff positions.
IMO, that’s why Bambi picked him. He is the ultimate apple-polishing suckbutt, and in no position to buck the Boy CinC.
I have been hesitant to offer this opinion because I am not a Marine, nor did I ever serve in VN (although I am a “Vietnam Era” vet, which is a vastly different thing). But for what it’s worth, that’s my 2c.
Tis getting late, I got to get up for work early. But I should have added. Jones just might screw the pouch on whatever general McChrystal has suggested. I guess we shall know within a few weeks the verdict. All I can say is for the past few weeks of viewing Pentagon Channel press gatherings, Geof Morrel (Pentagon spokesmen) has appeared to change his tone. He especially under GWB’s watch was much more forceful in defending military matters. Of late he really appears more subdued. Heaven only knows what he is seeing during those chats in the war room over the past five weeks or so. Please do not feel obligated to respond Jazz. I’m just thinking out loud a bit for general readership.
That’s distressing. Sigh.
Thanks very much for the input. This really bothers me. Part of me was hoping at some primitive level there was something in his service to Obama in that he meant to minimize the damage someone like Obama could do.
Wishful thinking.
I am sure you are not the only one that thought along those lines. So did I until I started to read up on general Jones background. Perhaps he will not upset the apple cart. Time will tell.
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