U.S. Eyes Afghan Drawdown Starting by 2013: Report

[tekisui]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States should be able to begin scaling back its troop presence in Afghanistan from a post-surge peak by 2013, according to an assessment by the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal gave his assessment to a delegation of U.S. lawmakers who visited Kabul earlier this week, participants said on Saturday.

It is unclear whether President Barack Obama will spell out a schedule for a drawdown of U.S. forces when he announces a revised war strategy on Tuesday.

The centerpiece of that strategy is expected to be the gradual deployment of about 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan to secure population centers and train more of the country's security forces.

(snip)

McChrystal's target for starting a drawdown would fall within the five-year timeframe cited by Afghan President Hamid Karzai for when he sees his forces being ready to take over from Western troops.

The White House has said it sees U.S. troops out of the country within the next eight to nine years. But the Pentagon has cautioned against setting specific dates, saying any handover depends on conditions on the ground.

more: http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersComService_2_MOLT/idUSTRE5AM3E520091128

[PSPS]

1. "out of the country within the next eight to nine years"

The White House has said it sees U.S. troops out of the country within the next eight to nine years. But the Pentagon has cautioned against setting specific dates, saying any handover depends on conditions on the ground.

Lovely -- a twenty-year "war" for oil, complete with fraudulent and corrupt foreign "leader" who, apparently, dictates US military policy along with the other pipeline "stakeholders."

Thanks for another Vietnam, Obama.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. "But setting a date will embolden the enemy!!!"

[shraby]

3. Why does it take so long to train the Afghan troops?

Ours go to basic for what is it...6 weeks or so and they are combat ready.

[metalbot]

5. Not quite that simple

You can teach people how to use a weapon, march in straight lines, and make them generally soldier-like in 13 weeks (the shortest possible US training for an infantry soldier). But no line units in the US are made up exclusively of people who are fresh graduates of Ft Benning. Soldiers are rotated into entry level positions within a unit, with NCO's providing guidance. The time to bring up a mature force is really not about getting warm bodies with rifles who know which end the bullet comes out, but getting enough experienced officers and NCO's to lead them.

[smoochpooch]

4. Absolutely unacceptable. Fuck the Pentagon and their strategy, a 12 year war is wrong. nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. There it is! Off in the distance! MY GOD! It's THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!.....again.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. Was wondering where the heck it had been all this time.

:hi:

[Karmadillo]

8. It will be doing lunch with Peace with Honor and they will both be signing autographs afterwards.

nt