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Old 12-02-2009, 08:53 AM   #1 (permalink)
roachboy
 
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obama on afghanistan

what do you make of the obama administration's decisions regarding afghanistan, which were announced last night in the speech at west point?
what do you make of the speech itself?


i thought it would be interesting to start with an article that that solicited views from people in kabul:


Quote:
Kabulis express mixed reaction to US withdrawal plan

Pajhwok
12/02/2009
By Abdul Qadir Siddique

KABUL - Setting a timetable for a gradual US forces withdrawal starting in July 2011 by US president Barack Obama drew a mixed reaction from residents of this central Afghan capital on Wednesday.

Announcing his revamped Afghan strategy this morning (local time), President Barack Obama said 30,000 more troops would be sent to Afghanistan to support the counter-terrorism fight. At the same time, the US president also said that withdrawal of his country's troops from Afghanistan would begin in the coming 18 months.

The number of American troops will reach 100,000 with the fresh deployment in Afghanistan, where 42,000 from 41 NATO countries are already on the ground.

Kabul dwellers, who welcomed the withdrawal decision, are of the view that Afghan security forces should take responsibility of security in the country.

Ghulam Nabi, resident of the Bibi Mehro locality, told Pajhwok Afghan News Afghan security forces should be trained and equipped to pave the way for American and NATO troops to leave.

The 48-year-old said the number of Afghan troops should be increased so as to ensure security in the country without the assistance of foreign troops.

Regarding his prime demand from President Obaman, Nabi said the killing of innocent civilians in military operations should be stopped.

Nadia, 45, resident of the third Macro Ryan residential area and a schoolteacher, also hailed Obama's decision regarding withdrawal of his country's troops from Afghanistan. She believed sending of more troops to her embattled country was useless as the existing force had created negative effects on the lives of locals.

About the withdrawal timetable, Nadia said: "The sooner they withdraw the troops, the better." She said the foreign troops had failed to fulfill the demands of the people of Afghanistan during their stay here for the past eight years.

She demanded of the US president and his administration to spend funds on basic projects in the Afghan society to bring improvement in the living standard of Afghans.

A student of the Journalism Department at Kabul University Ajmal Wafa told this news agency that the arrival of more troops in Afghanistan would create negative effects on the lives of common Afghans.

Resident of Karta-e-Sakhi locality, the 32-year-old said the foreign troops did nothing in the past few years to be remembered by the people of Afghanistan. He said the coming of more troops would further disturb the situation instead of bringing peace.

Wafa welcomed the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, but suggested that steps must be taken to improve economy of the country and strengthen its security forces.

Alongside support for the withdrawal decision, some other residents want the US troops to stay in the country till the standing of Afghan security forces on their own feet. They also welcomed the surge in US troops in Afghanistan.

Noorul Haq, 28, resident of Karta-e-Seh locality of Kabul and member of the Youth Organization, welcomed the US administration decision regarding increase in the number of troops, but opposed the withdrawal.

According to Haq, it was impossible for the Afghan troops to be able to take up responsibility for the security of the country during 18 months. "I don't want the foreign troops to stay here for ever, but the timeframe should be realistic and in line with the ground realties so as to enable the Afghan security forces to take the responsibility of security in the country," he added.

Gulab Shah, a shoe-maker in fourth Macro Ryan locality, believes that the more troops would not leave positive signs on their lives. However, he said he did not oppose the move.

Regarding the withdrawal, he said the Afghan troops must be trained and fully equipped before the pulling out of foreign troops from the country.

Sixteen-year-old Mashal, who is studying at the Istiqlal Higher Secondary School in Deh Afghanan locality, welcomed the build-up. However, he opposed the start of withdrawal process in the coming 18 months.

He hoped more troops would ensure security in the country and enable the people to live in peace. He said the foreign troops should stay in Afghanistan at least for next four years.
e-Ariana - Todays Afghan News


here's a short article outlining mc-chrystal's statements this morning about obama's actions:
US General McChrystal vows to take battle to Taliban | World news | guardian.co.uk


i have pretty strong views on all this, but i at work at the moment so don't have the space to lay them out...i'll probably write something tonight.

but in the interim, what do you think the administration is doing?
do you think it will work?
how do you see this increase in troop levels? is it a phase toward a withdrawal or is it a step forward in a spiral of escalation?

and what about pakistan?
what if anything do you see happening with respect to the border areas?
(notice that obama was largely silent about this)

and how do you assess the current situation in afghanistan anyway?
where are you getting your information from?
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