The Hill News

In December 2009, President Barack Obama simultaneously announced a surge of 30,000 US troops in Afghanistan and its draw-down beginning in summer 2011. He kept his word but the premise of his decision is flawed and misleading.  His over-optimistic rhetoric that “progress” and “gains” have been made is only partially true. The situation is still reversible. 

Obama’s assertion that the U.S. is dealing “from a position of strength” is also inaccurate.  The reality is that the U.S. has been in the process of consolidating a position of strength since the surge’s start. The President’s troop reduction undermines this process. The surge’s full troop amount only arrived approximately one year ago. Permitting it less than two full fighting seasons is self-defeating. Launching such a massive initiative and then denying it the opportunity to realize its full potential is rash and short-sighted.

It places undue pressure on remaining g! round troops, further complicates their existing responsibilities, and exponentially burdens their ability to confront mounting challenges. In brief, it makes a tough job even tougher. Contrary to his recent statements, the President is not “fulfilling his commitments”. Ultimately, his drawdown decision disincentivizes ordinary Afghans from collaborating with international forces for fear of future insurgent retribution. 

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