Troop Pullout in Afghanistan Set for Next Summer

[TomCADem]

Source: ABC News

The Obama administration reaffirmed Sunday that it will begin pulling U.S. troops out of Afghanistan next summer, despite reservations among top generals that absolute deadlines are a mistake.

President Barack Obama's chief of staff said an announced plan to begin bringing forces home in July 2011 still holds.

"That's not changing. Everybody agreed on that date," Rahm Emanuel said, adding by name the top three officials overseeing the policy girding the war: Gen. David Petraeus , Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen.

Petraeus, the war's top military boss, said last week that he would recommend delaying the pullout if conditions in Afghanistan warranted it. Days after the date was announced in December, Gates pointedly said it was not a deadline.


Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=10963399

[OhioChick]

1. I'll believe it when I see it n/t

[Fearless]

2. +1

[Fearless]

3. "Begin pulling U.S troops out..."

One at a time... For the next forty years or so... :banghead:

[MarshalltheIrish]

4. Just wait 'til it's extended

[cory777]

5. sure

[DCBob]

6. This is good news.. I think the Obama administration knows very well there is a limit...

to what the military can do in a place like Afghanistan. The focus will be on education and investment and rebuilding the country.

[kgnu_fan]

7. How long must we bleed? nt

[Soylent Brice]

8. Let's make it happen.

K&R

[HughMoran]

9. They had better stick to the schedule

Fuck Gates.

[Robb]

10. Good. Because then the real work begins.

Lots of fences to mend, in a literal sense as well.

...You want to see Robb start attacking the Obama administration? Let them try pulling troops out without redevelopment and rebuilding aid teams in place, you'll see it. :)