Patience

I've received expressions of concern. I am okay, just had a bit of a health episode that requires rest and recuperation. I'll try to post short messages now and then.

Warmest wishes to all.

Short Break

Friends:

I am suspending this blog for a bit. I will be back.

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Obama's Afghan Policy is the Best of Poor Choices

Photo Courtesy of the White House

After a few days investigating what went into President Barack Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan, I have come to the conclusion he chose the best policy option open to him.

The previous administration started the war in Afghanistan, of course, in the weeks following the 9/11 attacks. The stated reason for the invasion was to hunt down Osama bin-Laden and al-Qaeda, but the U.S. military let the terror network leader slip away after cornering him at Tora Bora late in 2001.

I've not been able to locate any persuasive explanation for that stupendous failure. It is one of the greatest tactical errors in modern military history, frankly.

Meanwhile, over the past eight years, the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan has morphed into a dubious nation-building exercise and, increasingly, an attempt to curtail the return of the native Afghan Taliban movement, which held power when the Bush administration invaded.

To my mind, there is no chance for the U.S. to "win" this war. But, much as happened in Vietnam, there is a good chance of "losing" it. Obama clearly feels painted in a corner by the circumstances he inherited.

Those attacking him now include many who naively believe everything any President does is political. No President is that cynical. Obama is Commander-in-Chief. He's received more in-depth briefings about this conflict than any predecessor about any inherited war over his first 12 months in office.

He wants a troop surge, and he wants it faster than the military felt it could deliver it. Then he wants a timed draw-down of troops faster than anyone believes will be possible.

Finally, he says that the conditions on the ground in Afghanistan will determine the actual timetable for withdrawal.

You could find aspects of this plan to disagree with, whatever your politics. But if you take the time to study what he is trying to do, and balance all known factors, you may come to the same conclusion as I have:

Obama is doing the right thing.

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