Research

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 made his formal troop request, warning that “‘failure to gain the initiative’ over the next year could make it impossible to defeat the Taliban.”

The New York Times Editorial Board today warned, “The political reality is that the longer Mr. Obama waits, the more indecisive he seems and the more constrained his options appear.”  President Obama promised to listen to his military advisors and promised to properly resource our troops in Afghanistan.  Yet after ten months of debate and eight strategy meetings with his national security team, he continues to ignore his generals and deny them the resources to win.