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Barack Obama forced into another 'war council' as US squabbles over Afghan troops
Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | November 14, 2009 | Philip Sherwell

Posted on 11/14/2009 12:15:51 PM PST by Schnucki

President Barack Obama will be forced into yet another "war council" on troops for Afghanistan as rifts deepen between his top political, security and military advisers.

Mr Obama, who has faced withering criticism for "dithering" over his strategy review, is now expected to make the decision on extra troops within a week of arriving back in Washington from Asia.

He will make the announcement that will shape his administration's foreign policy in a major televised speech. Mr Obama will insist that any increase is "not an open-ended commitment" in an attempt to allay fears that Afghanistan is turning into a new Vietnam.

He came under fresh pressure to conclude the much-delayed Afghan military review as he began his nine-day swing through East Asia.

Regional leaders added their voices to those in Europe urging a rapid decision from the President on the request by his commander in Kabul for an extra 40,000 troops. Britain last week called on other Nato allies to boost the alliance's troop numbers by 5,000.

There have been tensions between London and Washington over what has been seen as Mr Obama's "foot dragging" over troop numbers.

However, a Downing Street source said: "We're working on the presumption that an announcement will follow shortly after the President's return from the Far East."

Speaking in Japan, Mr Obama declared: "The decision will be made soon, it will be one that is fully transparent to the American people."

But first he must settle the widening feuds between his most senior advisers. The divisions have been dramatically thrust into the open by a leaked cable from the US ambassador to Kabul, Karl Eikenberry, last week, expressing serious doubts about sending more troops before President Hamid Karzai tackles rampant corruption.

That put the retired general in the camp of

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; dithering; obama

1 posted on 11/14/2009 12:15:52 PM PST by Schnucki
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To: Schnucki

Obama will send troops with their hands tied and once our body count discourages the american public, he will decide to pull out. He knows his strategy.


2 posted on 11/14/2009 12:17:40 PM PST by Oldexpat
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To: Schnucki

“in an attempt to allay fears”

The libs are very fearful.


3 posted on 11/14/2009 12:18:31 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Schnucki
The words “obama” “war” and “council” together should send a chill through everyone, especially our military.
4 posted on 11/14/2009 12:19:12 PM PST by BallyBill (Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
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To: Schnucki

War council, focus group session. What’s the diff.


5 posted on 11/14/2009 12:19:18 PM PST by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all. -- Texas Eagle)
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To: Schnucki

That would be another “war council” with Rahm-bo, Valerie Jarrett, and Baghdad Bob Gibbs in attendance, but maybe not so many actual Generals and military leaders...

Oh, and probably NBC News correspondents.


6 posted on 11/14/2009 12:27:53 PM PST by bigbob
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To: Schnucki

The CIC dithers, while our Troops bleed on the battlefield.


7 posted on 11/14/2009 12:37:24 PM PST by Gator113 (Obamba, Reid, Pelosi, the socialist triad.)
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To: Schnucki

Why do I learn more from British newpapers than our own about what’s going on in this country?


8 posted on 11/14/2009 1:31:18 PM PST by Ole Okie (Aged American)
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To: Gator113
The CIC dithers, while our Troops bleed on the battlefield.

And morale declines. How can all the services not be effected by this dangerous dithering? They can see that the Ditherer-in-Chief could care less about them.

9 posted on 11/14/2009 1:33:17 PM PST by Starboard
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To: Schnucki

Ditherer-In-Chief.


10 posted on 11/14/2009 3:44:39 PM PST by Humble Servant (see y'all in the Gulag.)
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To: Schnucki
"The decision will be made soon, it will be one that is fully transparent to the American people."

What an odd thing to say about this issue. We know what the promised transparency has meant with other issues (complete secrecy and then ram it through), but why say that here? What does he have in mind?

11 posted on 11/15/2009 7:25:55 AM PST by Mind-numbed Robot (Not all that needs to be done needs to be done by the government)
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