Bob Woodward
Washington Post
The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan warns in an urgent, confidential assessment of the war that he needs more forces within the next year and bluntly states that without them, the eight-year conflict "will likely result in failure," according to a copy of the 66-page document obtained by The Washington Post.
Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal says emphatically: "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."
His assessment was sent to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Aug. 30 and is now being reviewed by President Obama and his national security team.
McChrystal concludes the document's five-page Commander's Summary on a note of muted optimism: "While the situation is serious, success is still achievable."
But he repeatedly warns that without more forces and the rapid implementation of a genuine counterinsurgency strategy, defeat is likely. McChrystal describes an Afghan government riddled with corruption and an international force undermined by tactics that alienate civilians.
He provides extensive new details about the Taliban insurgency, which he calls a muscular and sophisticated enemy that uses modern propaganda and systematically reaches into Afghanistan's prisons to recruit members and even plan operations.
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Sorry,to see it in a different other way,makes me not to missunderstand,whats going on in Afghanistan.
Last poll showed that .......64%...... of Americans want the war in Afghanistan to end.
Enough war and killing. Bring our Troops home!
I like Bob Woodward, I really do, but since when is it really a wise and sound thing to write about a confidential assessment that directly effects our nationally security.
If it was meant for all to read it wouldn't be confidential.
I think of our soldiers fighting there the same as when we were forced to join WWII. We were attacked on Pearl Harbor. That was its terrorist attack back then . And we fought back and won. The same applies now. Yes Bush was distracted with going in after Saddam. We needed our resources and military in Afghanistan fighting those terrorists. Its a shame it happened. But that's often what happens when politics gets in the way.
Everytime I hear expressions of fatigue associated with Afghanistan I think of those planes and those people who attacked our country. We can not give up. We have to show those monsters that you can't attack our country and get away with it. We can do it. We have to show these brave soldiers of ours that the fight is just and they are supported and and keep fighting.
There have been three wars in our history that were needed. Let me reiterate,"Three Wars",period! #1) Independance #2) Civil War ,and #3) World War II ; but if we keep going the way were going,I suppose it's gonna be WWIII, and we all no the outcome,...?
There should be no question that when Pres. Bush made his major focus on Iran instead of Afganistan his actions were akin to the removal of stitches before the patient had recovered from serious surgery.
However, we need to recall that the Russians had as many as 118,000 troops in Afganistan [US+NATO are currently at 106,000] before they pulled out. Perhaps General McChrystal should meet with Marshal Sergi Sokolov of the original Soviet commitment in Afganistan. Yes he's 98; however, there may be lessons to learn before we commit more troops.
If you want to win a war – GET THE POLITICIANS OUT OF IT.
Martina, you don't seem to understand that the Afghan people are basically held hostage in their own couintry. They have a para-military force they do not want or support living in their villiages and using them as human shields. This is why the Taliban has not been rooted out. It takes highly trained special forces to fight them.
I hated Iraq, it was wrong. We didn't belong there, it was Bush's war. But I support our troops 100% and I want them to have the best recourses possible.
This time we are working with a Government who wants our help to keep their people safe. They are even providing their own men.
You cannot negotiate peacefully with terrorists.
I think Bush screwed the pooch when he pulled First Recon Marines out of Afghanastan to go to Iraq. Now they are finally doing it right.
I hate that American lives may be lost but this military is built on men who chose to be there, who trained to be there. Let them do thier jobs and give them the tools and man power they need to do it!
Well Obama can't just vote 'present' on this one. He has to actually make a yes or no decision. 'No' means he goes down in history as the man who lost Afghanistan and sent the message to our enemies that he lacks the will to win. 'Yes' means all those liberals who voted him in won't get the surrender they voted for. Next move is your's Waffler-in-Chief.
It cracks me up when people think they have all the answers, more answers than the Generals and Admirals. I was serving in our military when the terrorists flew jets into buildings, ending the lives of thousands of innocent people and some are still suffering today. I was proud to be of the first to defend our country in these wars. I am out now, living safe and sound in Virginia. I think all that believe the war is pointless, should join the military, go fight, then come back and re-post their opinion. Where would we be if we gave up during the revolutionary war, when farmers fought off the greatest military, or when the Nazi's were murdering thousands of people a day. I hope Obama sends more troops, enough is enough when the terrorists stop! I love my country and will not tolerate more attacks.
I side with the men in charge on the ground who know what is going on and have a REAL sense of what is needed. If our generals say let's go home then I say welcome, if the General says he needs more support then Let's send more support! I'm thankful everyday for the workand sacrifice of the armed forces dedicated to the honor of serving and protecting our freedom. God Bless Our Troops and may they be protected in what they have to accomplish.
Enough is Enough
There is no chance to win this war with weapons,which means no more troops.The General has to realize that..The only way to stopp that war is, to support the Afghan poeple in a peacful way.
Well is this enough to get Obama/Biden to send more troops and finish the job?
Well here we hear from the top dog himself that if we don't send more troops into Afghanistan the mission will fail and we'll start getting more of our troops killed. If Obama fails to act on this then he will have another Iraq on his hands. Is he that dumb to think he knows more than the ones on the ground there? This is about human lives and not politics that he is playing.
Cindy...Ga.