If Obama considers new Afghan options, decides to withdraw in 10 months, how would you consider him?

[HamdenRice]

Let's say that the option he chooses is a withdrawal as massive and irrevocable as the one taking place from Iraq, how would you evaluate the administration -- still "warmongering," or disappointing; or would you consider that this is the kind of change from militarism to diplomacy that many of us voted for?

Also, please explain your vote!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/world/middleeast/09pullout.html?_r=2

Leaving Iraq Is a Feat That Requires an Army

By MARC SANTORA
Published: October 8, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — There is no more visible sign that America is putting the Iraq war behind it than the colossal operation to get its stuff out: 20,000 soldiers, nearly a sixth of the force here, assigned to a logistical effort aimed at dismantling some 300 bases and shipping out 1.5 million pieces of equipment, from tanks to coffee makers.

It is the largest movement of soldiers and matériel in more than four decades, the military said.

[bigtree]

1. if wishes were fishes

[msedano]

2. ten months too slow

ditto iraq.

[HamdenRice]

3. So why didn't you vote option 2, which now has zero votes?

That seems to be your position. Correct me if I'm wrong?

I did add, maybe after you posted "on or shortly after inauguration day."

[msedano]

10. your question is worthwhile

the poll sucks.

[phantom power]

4. I would say that was the right kind of change...

although I would also be wondering "why wait?"

I mean, what is going to be different over there, 10 months from now, that would make withdrawing then better than now?
:shrug:

[HamdenRice]

5. Considering what's being reported about the Iraq withdrawal, it takes 1000s of supply troops

to bring the forces and equipment home. Plus, there's the problem of turning functions over to the locals.

I'm curious what do you think would happen if we just sent planes over and took everyone home over the course of a few weeks?

[phantom power]

7. I think you have touched on two important questions there...

1) How long does it actually take, and I have no doubt it takes a while. If they told me it would take a year to get everybody out, I wouldn't be at all surprised.

2) When do we actually start?


I'm much more interested in (2). I realize that the argument is, if we wait, we can somehow stabilize the region. That's the 64 billion dollar question, isn't it? My position is that whenever we leave, Afghanistan is then going to be on its own, and it is very likely to revert to whatever conflicts it was having before we got there. I do not think that staying an extra year, or 5 years, or 10 years, is going to change that equation.

Obama may believe that they can stabilize something and then go home. I believe that is overly optimistic. Obviously he gets to make that decision. He is the Decider! So, we'll see what we will see. Meanwhile, I haven't yet seen anything to change my opinion.

[Forkboy]

6. I disagree with the war, but I've never seen him as a warmonger over it.

To answer the poll though, option 1 would be it.

[ipaint]

8. Depends on if hired private contractors are going to pick up the slack. n/t

[Sinti]

9. Personally, I'd be delighted

I realize that actually to pull out stuff out it will require an initial installment of more troops, it's basically like calling in the movers.

It must be hard for the president. Imagine if you wanted to do the best possible thing, if you wanted to pick the option that means the least amount of death for everyone concerned. If you look broadly at all the factors, including the fact that part of the military has a mind of its own, part of the CIA has a mind of its own, and there are a large number of mercenaries in-country who may or may not remain on your side when their paycheck runs out... mercenaries that could potentially start targeting the civilian population to get a paycheck from whoever wants that to stop... Let's just say I don't envy him.

It looks very simplistic from my day-to-day POV, get our soldiers the hell out, take out the CIA-trained terrorists and their homicidal/suicidal human playthings with Rangers and SEALs, and ratchet up the humanitarian aid, the best way to make peace with anybody is to feed them. It's hard to fight with your mouth and belly full - but I only have a limited set of facts. I actually feel lucky not to have ALL the facts.

If he said 10 months, I'd cry from happiness. Then again, if he said "no more drones" I'd probably cry of happiness, it's a start in the right direction and we've been headed down the road to hell for a long time.

Let It Be So :)