Webb Warns of ‘Tipping Point’ in Afghanistan

[tekisui]

Source: Richmond Times Dispatch

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va. warned today that an increased military presence in Afghanistan would risk a "tipping point" in which U.S. troops are viewed as an occupying force.

He also questioned whether Afghanistan, without a viable national government, is capable of building its own security force of 400,000 troops, as the top U.S. commander envisions.

"Before we jump forward with a total change of policy," from counterterrorism to counterinsurgency, "we need to look at what is achievable," Webb said yesterday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"We deserve to have very careful consideration before we start moving in the direction of nation-building."

Eight years after the Sept. 11 attacks, President Barack Obama is reviewing U.S. strategy in Afghanistan as that country sorts through a presidential election that was beset by reports of corruption.

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, is seeking up to 40,000 additional U.S. troops. He has told top U.S. officials that unless he gets more troops in the next year, the mission is likely to fail.

more: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/WEBBGATER27_20090927-130804/295854/

[dkf]

1. Whew, I was worried he had turned into a hawk.

But he is the same sane voice of reason that I appreciate more and more every day.

Love this guy.

[Historic NY]

2. .Tribes, tribes, tribes, poppys, poppys, poppys nothing has changed for centuries...

we should be forewarned not to go down the Soviet path in Afghanistan.

[necso]

3. "we need to look at what is achievable":

inherently, that is, within the resources we can devote, based on the circumstances we face -- while honestly looking for some reasonable, reality-based, cost-worthy, doable objective.

But we can expect no frank, realistic, bipartisan discussion of the matter.

Rather we can expect the other side to ruthlessly try to profit from the situation, and the public "discussion" (ie, the wrong-wing inspired and backed, corporate-media-amplified psywar-campaign) to be stultifying-oversimplified, and loaded with appeals to the emotional and irrational, to ignorance and predisposition... as is generally the case.

[AllentownJake]

4. The war will end when we run out of money to fight it

Same way the war ended for the Soviets, and the same way the war ended for the Brittish.

Judging by our current economic situation, my guess is that is sooner rather than later.

[msongs]

5. "forward they cried, from the rear, and the front ranks died" - coward generals nt