ANALYSIS-US troop build-up in Afghanistan may be gaining favor

[laststeamtrain]

ANALYSIS-US troop build-up in Afghanistan may be gaining favor
Tue Oct 6, 2009 6:08pm EDT

* Gates' remarks suggest he is likely to favor more troops

* Counterinsurgency plus counterterrorism approach likely

* Opinion divided about whether it will work

By Adam Entous and Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The Obama administration is strongly considering a war strategy that incorporates at least some additional forces in Afghanistan alongside a stepped up campaign against al Qaeda and Taliban targets in Pakistan.

The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a key player, is undecided about next steps.

But he has publicly said many of his earlier reservations about adding forces have been addressed and remains a strong proponent of counter-insurgency strategy, signals that he may be leaning toward a further buildup.

Combining an expanded counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan with more counterterrorism operations inside Pakistan's tribal areas would be consistent with the administration's existing strategy, launched in March.

Stephen Cohen, an expert at the Brookings Institution think tank, said it was "inconceivable" that Obama would abandon a counterinsurgency strategy so soon after launching it.

"This is an experimental science," he said. "We won't know if it will work until we try it."

<more>

http://www.reuters.com/article/joeBiden/idUSN06444277

[ShortnFiery]

1. The whores from the M$M have received their assignment from the Pentagon ...

and are now in the process of MANUFACTURING CONSENT.

It doesn't matter what the unwashed masses REALLY believe, we will approve of THEIR pre-approved plans. :grr:

[ShortnFiery]

2. "We won't know if it will work until we try it."

WTF have we been doing for the past EIGHT fucking years?!? :crazy:

[laststeamtrain]

3. BBC: Obama aware of Afghan differences; "...will not please everyone."

Obama aware of Afghan differences

US President Barack Obama has said his decision on a new strategy in Afghanistan will not please everyone.

He told key figures from Congress, gathered to discuss future US plans, that he would decide the question with a sense of urgency.

Democratic Senator Harry Reid said members from both parties told Mr Obama they would support his decision.

But Republican Senator Mitch McConnell stressed backing would depend on Mr Obama following his generals' advice.

The talks at the White House came as debate intensifies over whether the US should send more troops to Afghanistan.

A US official, quoted by Reuters news agency, said of the meeting: "He... made it clear that his decision won't make everybody in the room or the nation happy, but underscored his commitment to work on a collaborative basis."

About 30 senior congressional figures from both parties' leaderships and key House and Senate committees were involved.

<more>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8293558.stm

[FiveGoodMen]

4. BETRAYAL

PERIOD.

[applegrove]

5. I think Obama likes it when people in the USA discuss an issue for a bit and then

he steps in with his plan which takes from the discussion. He does that cause he is a real president, not an emperor like Bush II. The last thing Bush ever wanted was for Americans to be discussing things intelligently and with good information. Obama seems to like it. And if the right wing goes batshit crazy with their nuttiness...so much the better to alienate themselves from the country.

[ShortnFiery]

6. NO, he let's us vacillate for far too long. He's a campaigner but I've seen little to NO LEADERSHIP

when the going truly gets rough.

We need intelligent leadership ... not PRAGMATIC ruling party sychophants.

President Obama is fooling VERY FEW PEOPLE here. I fear if the democrats cease listening to their base, the 2010 and 2012 elections are going to be "figurative blood baths" for the democratic party.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. Escalation of a lost war worked ever so well for LBJ and Nixon so let's try it on this one.

And, we can call it a "new strategy" while planning a really swell memorial with lots of room for names on it.