Do you believe President Barack Obama’s Afghanistan war strategy
will be successful?
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
“Do you believe President Barack Obama’s Afghanistan war strategy will be successful?” Yes: 5 No: 7
? Karen Anderson: “No. Alas. If it took 160,000 troops to quell Iraq (sort of), what makes anyone think that another 30,000 will take care of Afghanistan AND Pakistan?
? David Appling: “Yes. It provides General McChrystal critical mass to foster Afghan-Pakistani security and stability, defeat the Taliban insurgency, keep girls in school and out of burqas.”
? Bert Berson: “In the short term yes; in the long term – maybe.” n Chris Bryant: “Perhaps, but we need far more cooperation from Pakistan to root out the problems there. Giving any hint of an end date just sends the message that we have lost and it is a matter of a short time until we stop pursuing al-Qaeda.”
? David Cohen: “I hope so, but only time will tell. President Obama walked a fine line between immediate withdrawal and a multi-generation commitment.”
? Julian Mancias: “No. The only strategy that makes sense is bringing the troops home.”
? Henry Miller: “Well, let’s hope so. He listened to all the people who should help him make the tough choices. Hopefully they provided good council. And, thank goodness, he didn’t ask Donald Rumsfeld for advice.”
? Lisa Pampuch: “If history is our guide, no: Throughout the ages, Afghanistan has confounded empires. But I don’t have a crystal ball.”
? John Quick: “I believe he has presented a well thought out plan that has a chance of getting us out of Afghanistan while controlling or subduing the Taliban and remnants of al Qaeda. A well thought out plan is a wonderful change from the knee jerk, reactionary ‘policies’ of the Bush years.”
? Emily Shem-Tov: “Yes, I certainly hope so. But much depends on the Afghans stepping up.”
? Jeff Smith: “I certainly hope so, but I have my doubts. Why the long delay in sending more troops? Why announce the exit dates? I am concerned about his lack of will to win this war.”
? Steve Staloch: “Not based on the terms outlined in his speech. Success cannot be achieved until the current and corrupt Afghan government is no longer in power, Afghan forces grow by some 150,000 as called for by General McChrystal, and we have real – not on paper – financial and troop support from our allies. Relying on the volatile Pakistani government to do the right thing and support a common war effort requires a tremendous leap of faith.”
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