Afghanistan offensive is key test of Obama's strategy

[TomCADem]

Source: Washington Post

The largest military offensive of the eight-year war in Afghanistan, launched this weekend in southwestern Helmand province, is a crucial test for President Obama's strategy of more troops, more civilians and more money.

In an acknowledgment of past mistakes, administration officials have emphasized that for the first time, U.S. and NATO forces are outnumbered by thousands of Afghan soldiers fighting alongside them. Unlike previous offensives, in which territory won from insurgents was later abandoned, the troops plan to clear the Taliban stronghold of Marja and hold it for as long as it takes to install a functioning local security system and government.

Large numbers of Afghan and international civilians have been marshaled to move into the district once the fighting is over, and development projects are funded and ready for implementation.

"What's important about this operation is that it is the first major operation in which we will demonstrate, I think successfully, that the new elements of the strategy -- which combine not only security operations but economic reform and good governance at the local and regional level with a much more visible presence of Afghan forces -- will take place," Obama's national security adviser, retired Marine Gen. James L. Jones, said on "Fox News Sunday."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/14/AR2010021404169.html

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My question is why did we wait for 8 years to decide that you need to establish some government, rather than just bombing the crap out of everything than leaving? Shouldn't we have tried this, perhaps in the first few years, rather than eight years after the fact?

[Pirate Smile]

1. Because Bush and Cheney decided to switch all the attention, money and resources to Iraq.

Iraq and the stupidity of Bush/Cheney is why we waited eight years.

[Winterblues]

2. Do you believe Republicans Want stability in the region?

How can they do their War thing and keep that War Money rolling in, if peace actually breaks out? :shrug: Peace is the last thing on earth Republicans are in favor of.

[TheIdiot]

3. So, here's what I wanna know...

what makes this "strategy" any different than the chimp's? I don't know about anyone else, but this isn't what I signed up for.

[Mari333]

4. it is the same corporations that demand the pipeline and secure region for their

never ending war. They need to control that area for their oil contracts.

Obama is just another shill for the corporations.

[TomCADem]

5. Here is what the article states...

Here is your answer:

In an acknowledgment of past mistakes, administration officials have emphasized that for the first time, U.S. and NATO forces are outnumbered by thousands of Afghan soldiers fighting alongside them. Unlike previous offensives, in which territory won from insurgents was later abandoned, the troops plan to clear the Taliban stronghold of Marja and hold it for as long as it takes to install a functioning local security system and government.