So, nothing is changing in policy in Afghanistan? Because it all sounds the same to me.

[chelsea0011]

[MattP]

1. The talk about Packastin should be had behind closed doors

Publicly berating them is not going to help

[Louis1895]

2. Yes, but he will not tell us what he really plans to do.

So he cannot be criticized for failure.

He is going to outsource the responsibility to commanders in the field.

Boy, is he naive about what can be done!!

"Record breaking success!"

[NightWatcher]

3. There has been no official policy change mentioned

He sounds like a condo salesman. There's a lot of talking getting said, but no points being made

[superpatriotman]

4. Exactly the same

The afghan war has not been denied oxygen, blood or bombs.

[Louis1895]

5. It really does sound the same.

No nation building but need to build up Afghanistan's economy. Huh?

[Thrill]

6. Operation change the subject

[haveahart]

7. No, it's not the same. We are taking on Pakistan bigly and inciting more conflict between India and

Pakistan. It's different.

[Nevernose]

8. +1 Scary as shit.

Way more concerning than North Korea. They're not going to do shit. India and Pakistan are shooting at each other on a daily basis, and I mean that literally.

[Nevernose]

9. "Common cause" against terrorists Russia

I've got $20 to the liberal charity of anyone's choice that disagrees.

"Common cause" wasn't a reference to India, which he mentioned separately, but to Russia and maybe even Assad. He's preparing his political battlefield and signaling the white nationalists (both here and in the Kremlin).

[oberliner]

10. More troops, right?

That's a bit of a change.

[struggle4progress]

11. More military money. Let the generals off the hook in public and demand a climate of loyalty.

Lean on India to support attacks on Pakistan. The war will pay for itself. &c&c