Afghanastan.....
 

Not sure if anyone wants to discuss our countries new committment in this area of the world, but thought would start a thread on it !

I thought the Presidents speech was too political however I agree with the actions for the most part. I dont understand the July 2011 date....not that I disagree but I just do not understand what he meant as that is a short 18 months from now and many of the increased troops will just be getting there or will only be there a very short time !

He talked about the great need to insure keeping nuclear weapons from the terrorists...something I have mentioned many times on here....and am happy about attention to that !

One positive benefit of announcing a date that is only 18 months out....
 

the Taliban "could" adopt a slowing of their activity...build up strength on the ground....build up munitions....get placed....then when the US thinks things are improving they can make their 2011 date. The taliban and any other adversary has more patience than we do....they can simply wait us out. Time is on their side and when we put a definition to it, in my opinion, it is in their favor.

NO ONE to date has put a definition on what "winning" means. Or at least what constitutes completing the mission. Hence, no end in sight.

I personally believe there is no way for the US to win not only the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they can not win one anywhere. WHy not? Too much politics....too much concern about how they are viewed for what they do...

If we could get back to the days of the commanders in WW II, do what ever it takes to win the objective. Of course they did not have the 24/7 media or the permissive pacifist attitudes of today to complicate their mission.

Hell we won in Germany and Japan and we still have troops there.....soooooo?

btk

How do you fight religious fanatacism?

I thought der Spiegel's coverage gave Obama his due
 

on the subject:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...664753,00.html

Not very much like our US media is it? Typical European...they tell you what they think without mincing words. They are not as enamored with political correctness and they don't buy into words and promises as most Americas do (or should I say did?).

Obama I think has worn out his so called "magic" of telling folks what they want to hear with no deliverables ever attached.

The german's figured why the 2011 date, eh? Election time tactics???

btk