Over the weekend, we noted that President Obama and Senate Democrats were In A Reckless Rush to push through their government-run health care experiment.  Now it appears Obama is in another “reckless rush” to fulfill his ill-conceived campaign pledge to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, regardless of the national security consequences. Jake Tapper reports that the Obama administration has agreed to transfer six Gitmo detainees to Yemen and two Somali detainees to the Somaliland region.  

While the President may celebrate these transfers, there is some information the White House is yet to divulge.  First, America’s top military officer Admiral Mike Mullen noted yesterday that Yemen is quickly becoming “another safe heaven” for terrorism, and The Wall Street Journal notes that once “the detainees are in Yemen their treatment will be impossible to control.”  The editorial further explains:

Several former Gitmo detainees from other countries have moved to Yemen to ... more

Last night, the White House announced that President Obama will not make any decisions about Afghanistan before Thanksgiving. Despite his promise over two years ago to act with “proper regard” to the advice of his military commanders and his statement on the campaign trail that Afghanistan was a “war that we have to win,” President Obama has repeatedly ignored the advice of his top commanders on the ground.  A quick review: 

• 8 Months Ago: President Obama announced a new “smarter and comprehensive” Afghanistan strategy in March, saying "America must no longer deny resources to Afghanistan."
• 6 Months Ago: President Obama fired the top commander Afghanistan in May, and replaced him with Gen. Stanley McChrystal.
• 3 Months Ago: President Obama again said Afghanistan “is a war of necessity” in August.
• 2 Months Ago: General McChrystal submitted his Commander’s Assessment, stating that without more forces, Afghanistan “will likely result in failure.”
• 1 Month Ago: General McChrystal ... more
  
  

Der Spiegel, a German news magazine with one of the largest circulations in Europe, penned an editorial today venting the growing frustration of European leaders towards President Obama’s continued indecision on Afghanistan, despite months of meetings, and a troop request by his leading commander in Afghanistan. 

Afghanistan and Pakistan are being shaken by attacks, and the Taliban is dictating the course of the war. US President Obama has been silent about the situation for far too long and European countries like Germany and France are correct to demand better American leadership on the issue of Afghanistan.

The President has been anything but clear on Afghanistan, and our allies are noticing President Obama’s indecision. As a candidate, Obama promised the resources necessary to win in Afghanistan, but as Der Spiegel points out: “Obama's silence stands in contrast with the impassioned rhetoric that carried him into the White House.” 

During the campaign, Obama stressed the ... more

An AP article points out President Obama’s rather conspicuous penchant for saying “let me be clear” when explaining his various standpoints on policy ranging from health care reform to foreign affairs.  While Obama may go out of his way to clarify details of his unpopular plan for health care reform, he has remained silent and indecisive on his strategy in Afghanistan as an escalation of forces appears more and more politically unviable.

The President has been anything but clear on his approach in Afghanistan.  He continues to publically debate the “comprehensive” strategy he announced in March, downplaying the threat of the Taliban, and spending Afpak strategy meetings discussing public opinion – instead of heeding the advice of his hand-picked general in the field.

Obama needs to be clear now more than ever when it comes to the war in Afghanistan and our commitment to it.  Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree and have joined in the chorus calling for a decision on ... more