The Afghanistan timeline President Obama outlined Tuesday calls for the 'surge' of 30,000 new troops to abate after only 18 months. That time frame is consistent with what Gem. Stanley McChrystal has called the 'decisive' period of the war. ... In urgent language, McChrystal stressed the importance of time in America's Afghan venture - suggesting that the next 12 months could well determine the success or failure of the mission. The timeline Mr. Obama announced Tuesday night appears geared to providing McChrystal with as many boots on the ground in Afghanistan as soon as is logistically possible in an effort to turn the tide of the war.
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In urgent language, McChrystal stressed the importance of time in America's Afghan venture - suggesting that the next 12 months could well determine the success or failure of the mission.
The timeline Mr. Obama announced Tuesday night appears geared to providing McChrystal with as many boots on the ground in Afghanistan as soon as is logistically possible in an effort to turn the tide of the war.
On November 21: McCain predicts success in Afghanistan in 12-18 months
US Senator John McCain predicted an allied win in Afghanistan in one year to 18 months if sufficient troops are sent, as the White House mulls sending tens of thousands of reinforcements. But he said that timeline is threatened by US President Barack Obama's delay in rolling out a new Afghanistan strategy. "I am absolutely convinced and totally confident that with sufficient resources we can turn the situation around," McCain told reporters at an international defense summit in easternmost Canada.
But he said that timeline is threatened by US President Barack Obama's delay in rolling out a new Afghanistan strategy.
"I am absolutely convinced and totally confident that with sufficient resources we can turn the situation around," McCain told reporters at an international defense summit in easternmost Canada.
Well, General McChrystal and General Petraeus both say that that is sufficient resources to get the job done. There is going to be -- he's allowed some additional troops to that, but also, they are counting on commitments from our NATO allies. I would have gone for the entire 40,000, but I also have to rely on the judgment of General Petraeus and General McChrystal. But I have serious doubts -- and I believe we should support this policy. I really do. But I also have grave concerns about this date for withdrawal and contradicted by conditions on the ground. ... Well, the danger is that it's hard to get the loyal support of the people who have to live in the neighborhood after you leave. They'll hedge their bets, whether it be governments or people in the region. Also, the threat is that the Taliban and other Al Qaeda just stay back in the weeds until we leave. That is the danger that's always been associated with setting arbitrary dates.
But I have serious doubts -- and I believe we should support this policy. I really do. But I also have grave concerns about this date for withdrawal and contradicted by conditions on the ground.
Well, the danger is that it's hard to get the loyal support of the people who have to live in the neighborhood after you leave. They'll hedge their bets, whether it be governments or people in the region. Also, the threat is that the Taliban and other Al Qaeda just stay back in the weeds until we leave. That is the danger that's always been associated with setting arbitrary dates.
The civilian operation to rebuild Afghanistan is disjointed and needs to be coordinated better, U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke said on Wednesday. Holbrooke signalled his concerns over efforts involving the United Nations and scores of foreign aid and development agencies before a meeting at which U.S. and European ministers are expected to discuss how to improve the reconstruction drive. The criticism, hours after U.S. President Barack Obama announced plans to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, could stir tension between Holbrooke and the U.N. over the leadership of the civilian operation.
Holbrooke signalled his concerns over efforts involving the United Nations and scores of foreign aid and development agencies before a meeting at which U.S. and European ministers are expected to discuss how to improve the reconstruction drive.
The criticism, hours after U.S. President Barack Obama announced plans to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, could stir tension between Holbrooke and the U.N. over the leadership of the civilian operation.
