Commander In Chief Decision Watch: Day 91

This will be the last of our Decision Watch series.  The White House press office reports that President Obama finally made his decision and issued orders to the military on Sunday, 91 days after receiving the exhaustive assessment, strategy plan and troop request he ordered, from General McCrystal, the man he appointed to accomplish the Afghanistan mission he declared, in a speech in March.  Tonight, he will make a formal announcement from West Point.

General McChrystal submitted his assessment, strategy recommendation, and troop request in August.  He asked for up to 60,000 additional troops, with 40,000 being the minimum number to ensure success.

The media are reporting, based on leaks, that the President will announce that he has ordered a troop strength increase of fewer than 35,000.  It is also being reported that the Obama will emphasize “off ramps” and/or an “exit strategy,” and/or a “time limit” on American involvement.  If any or all of this turns out to be true it will be a huge disappointment.

The political-media establishment never seems to understand the importance of resolve in a successful outcome of a military operation.  They never figure out the simple fact that the anti-war faction of the Democrat party isn’t the only audience when the President makes a major address.  The enemy is also listening, and the enemy will be encouraged to hold out longer, no matter what the cost, if the President signals lack of resolve.

Obama began that speech back in March with assurances that his decision regarding Afghanistan was careful and came after extended consultation and deliberation:

I am announcing a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.  This marks the conclusion of a careful policy review that I ordered as soon as I took office. My Administration has heard from our military commanders and diplomats. We have consulted with the Afghan and Pakistani governments; with our partners and NATO allies; and with other donors and international organizations. And we have also worked closely with members of Congress here at home.

Then he summarized the compelling reason for the Afghanistan operation.

So let me be clear: al Qaeda and its allies – the terrorists who planned and supported the 9/11 attacks – are in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Multiple intelligence estimates have warned that al Qaeda is actively planning attacks on the U.S. homeland from its safe-haven in Pakistan. And if the Afghan government falls to the Taliban – or allows al Qaeda to go unchallenged – that country will again be a base for terrorists who want to kill as many of our people as they possibly can.

If the media speculators are correct, and Obama undermines his own mission with an equivocal speech tonight, Al Qaeda and The Taliban will have cause for celebration.