Obama Dithers as Afghanistan Deteriorates

Back in February, President Obama appointed General Stanley McChrystal as commander of all operations in Afghanistan.

In a March speech the President announced:

“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…

On August 30, General  McChrystal completed an exhaustive assessment and submitted his confidential report, including his recommended mission, strategies and tactics.

Someone in the administration leaked McChrystal’s report to the Washington Post, so we can all see what it says.  In a separate communication he requested more resources, including 40,000 additional troops.

So far, the Obama Administration has not responded to the report or to McChrystal’s request for more resources.  Various officials have indicated  they don’t necessarily accept the Theater Commander as the final authority.  They ‘re also seeking advice from a bunch of politicians with no military expertise, including Vice President Biden whose judgment in such matters has proved consistently wrong for decades.

There are interesting similarities between Obama’s March speech and McChrystal’s report.

Obama’s speech:

This is just one part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent Afghanistan from becoming the al Qaeda safe-haven that it was before 9/11. To succeed, we and our friends and allies must reverse the Taliban’s gains, and promote a more capable and accountable Afghan government.

McChrystal’s report is all about a comprehensive strategy that Obama called for including:

…to accomplish the mission and defeat the insurgency we also require a properly resourced strategy built on four main pillars:

1. improve effectiveness through greater partnering with Afghan National Security Forces;
2. Priortize responsive and accountable governance;
3. Gain the initiative… reverse the insurgncey’s momentum;
4. prioritize available resources to those critical areas where vulnerable populations are most threatened.

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Obama’s Speech:

Our troops have fought bravely against a ruthless enemy. Our civilians have made great sacrifices. Our allies have borne a heavy burden. Afghans have suffered and sacrificed for their future. But for six years, Afghanistan has been denied the resources that it demands because of the war in Iraq. Now, we must make a commitment that can accomplish our goals.

McChrystal’s Report:

Our campaign in Afghanistan has been historically under-resourced and remains so today.  Almost every aspect of our collective effort and associated resourcing has lagged a growing insurgency – historically a recipe for failure in COIN [counterinsurgency.]  Success will require a discrete “jump” to gain the initiative, demonstrate progress in the short term, and secure long-term support.

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In his speech Obama noted:

Afghanistan has an elected government, but it is undermined by corruption and has difficulty delivering basic services to its people. The economy is undercut by a booming narcotics trade that encourages criminality and funds the insurgency. The people of Afghanistan seek the promise of a better future. Yet once again, have seen the hope of a new day darkened by violence and uncertainty.

In his report McChrystal noted:

…progress is hindered by the dual threat of a resilient insurgency and a crisis of confidence in the government and the international coalition.  to win their support we must protect the people from both of these threats.

Later in his report McChrystal presents detailed strategies for dealing with the narcotics trade and criminality.

McChrystal’s sixty-six page report details every aspect of his “classic counterinsurgency” plan, including this ominous warning:

…protecting the poplation from insurgent coercion and intimidation demands a persistent presence and focus that cannot be interrupted without risking serious setback…failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near term (next 12 months) — while afghan security capacity matures — risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible.

Why hasn’t Obama approved McChrystal’s plan and his request for more resources?

Obama has a political problem, one he apparently didn’t anticipate when he made the speech in March.  His far-left, anti-war base, represented by roughly 1/4 of the House and Senate, wants to abandon Afghanistan, not undertake a renewed effort to prevail over Al Qaeda and The Taliban.

Thus, General McChrystal and tens of thousands of American troops are stuck in limbo, as the situation in Afghanistan gradually deteriorates.