Obama 'Skeptical' About More Troops

[tekisui]

Source: Politico

President Barack Obama is warning U.S. commanders that he’s “skeptical” about whether more troops will make a difference in Afghanistan, saying he’ll approve an expected request only if the forces fit into a strategy to beat back al-Qaida and protect the United States.

U.S. generals are preparing to seek as many as tens of thousands additional troops for the increasingly unpopular conflict, but in several of his five Sunday talk show interviews, Obama made clear that he’s far from convinced about the need for a massive infusion of forces and won’t be rushed on the decision.

“We’re going to test whatever resources we have against our strategy, which is, if by sending young men and women into harm’s way, we are defeating al Qaeda–and that can be shown to a skeptical audience, namely me, somebody who is always asking hard questions about deploying troops— then we will do what’s required to keep the American people safe,” Obama said on ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”

Obama also said he suspects there is a predisposition among some military planners to think more troops is the answer to almost any problem.

“There is a natural inclination to say, ‘If I get more, then I can do more,’” Obama said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “But right now, the question is—the first question is, are we doing the right thing? Are we pursuing the right strategy?”

“We’re not going to put the cart before the horse and just think by sending more troops we’re automatically going to make Americans safe,” Obama told CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27350.html#ixzz0ReaYO1uW

[ellie]

1. I would like us

to leave both Afghanistan and Iraq in the very near future.

[rug]

2. Skepticism is a good trait to have when dealing with the Pentagon.

[IndianaGreen]

3. If Obama is sceptical about more troops, then he should pull all US troops out ASAP

Obama escalated the war, calling it a "war of necessity", and now he needs to follow through. Either provide the needed reinforcements to help our troops already under great stress, or he needs to pull them all out.

Can you imagine Obama as commander in chief of the British troops trapped at Dunkirk? Churchill didn't hesitate to rescue them!

[undeterred]

4. Lets try "less troops" and then move toward "no troops"

and see how that works.