Win or Lose?
RNC Chairman Michael Steele has taken a lot of heat for suggesting that the war in Afghanistan cannot be won.
Do you agree with his contention? How would you define success in Afghanistan?
Comments
1. Ted said...
I am afraid that he may be right this time. Even a broken clock is correct twice a day!
3. Emory Williams said...
If we are all honest this is one of those questions that the average American is simply guessing at the answer.Unless you are a General or other high ranking official in the Defense Dept. you don't know enough facts.
Based soley on what I know about Obama's rules of engagement ROE ,I'd say probably we cannot win.Those that believe that General McCrystal had a temporary mental lapse with his comments to Rolling Stone should do more research.He was very definitely sending a clear message to ALL OF US just how concerned he is with Obama's ROE.He knew what the repercussions would be.
4. JD said...
I am not sure that the rules of engagement under Petraus/McCrystal are the issue.I don't think we have defined what success is Tanya.For me,success is total withdrawal and a reallocation of funds to stimulate economic growth and job creation.
5. Mark said...
The longer this goes on,the more we all lose!
7. Kip said...
Emory is right.This war cannot be won without the resources the generals need.
9. Robert Brown said...
Steele and McCrystal are traitors!
10. Amy said...
Steele is not a real spokesman for the republican party.He is an opportunist and charlatan.
11. Biz said...
I agree with Steele.Obama should let the military direct military strategy.
12. James said...
Considering the fact that Republicans did nothing to advance victory in the past, the odds are stacked against victory.If Steele is unable to handle the heat,he needs to get out of the kitchen(and the Republican party)!
13. Jesse said...
We can win,but I am not convinced that we should even be there.
14. DJEZ said...
You are absolutely beautiful.Great site,great jazz,great info from a truly stunning and class act.Not into politics,but will get into it now.
15. Paul said...
I do not agree!
16. Baye Kambui said...
A quarterly report is given to Congress to describe "progress" in conducting the war in Afghanistan. These reports do not look good for the NATO troops.
Further, the U.S. lost momentum in the war when it took it's attention away from Afghanistan to fight the war in Iraq. That move resulted in two things: [1] The Taliban regrouped and [2] Al-Qaeda began to metastasize into a more dangerous form and even established firm roots in places like Sub-saharan Africa.
One more thing - I'm a bit confused about what "victory" means in Afghanistan. The comments I heard from both parties leads me to think that the definition of "victory" differs from mouth to mouth. Gates recently said that a "deal" might have to be made in Afghanistan that allows for the Taliban to participate in government. You would have never heard Gates say this before 2010. Why? Because Gates understands that defining "victory" as defeating the Taliban is virtually impossible.
And I hardly ever use the word "impossible."
The Taliban's network, Pakistan's ISI support for the Taliban (shoot, Pakistan's intelligence agency **created** the Taliban), the Afghan poverty and the widespread use of the drug trade to counter poverty makes Afghanistan a very confusing place to fight...
song currently stuck in my head: "aguanta la lengua" - joe bataan
17. Derrick said...
I have never found a reason to agree with this loser.
19. Tim said...
Success will be withdrawal before the loss of one more life.
21. wayne said...
I don't agree that its Obama's war. I do want him bring this war to a close, but the MIC(military industrial complex)are not about to let that happen. Too much money going in the bank.
2. Brian said...
Michael Steele needs to go.What is is military expertise?
7/12/2010