Gates On Afghanistan: One Year

It seems fair to ask what message Gates is trying to send with this as Secretary of Defense? Does he seek to motivate the troops, who he claims are tired? Push on his Generals so they somehow perform better than now? Or, is it simply a politician disguised as a Sec Def? My guess is the latter. And that's disappointing. I'm not sure how this plays as far as leadership given his particular role.

Reporting from Washington -- After eight years, U.S.-led forces must show progress in Afghanistan by next summer to avoid public perception that the conflict has become unwinnable, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in a sharp critique of the war effort.

Gates said that victory was a "long-term prospect" under any scenario and that the U.S. would not win the war in a year's time. However, U.S. forces must begin to turn the situation around in a year, he said, or face the likely loss of public support.

"After the Iraq experience, nobody is prepared to have a long slog where it is not apparent we are making headway," Gates said an in interview. "The troops are tired, the American people are pretty tired."

Deep public unhappiness with the war in Iraq helped sink President George W. Bush's approval ratings, making him the most unpopular president in recent history, according to some surveys.

While not predicting a parallel fate for the Obama administration, Gates emphasized the need for progress in Afghanistan during an interview aboard his plane as he returned to Washington after visiting sailors Friday at the Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois.

Comments

[Scott]

That's exactly it.

Politicalization of both the DOD by Gates and our Intelligence Department by Leon Panetta.

Just like the actions of both the Justice Department trying to provide cover for Nancy Pelosi, shielding Obamas illegal actions against the IG's and the Treasury Departments best-buddy relationship with Goldman Sachs.

Everything the Democrats do is political and should be no surprise it infects their legislative voting and inhibits active real debate on critical issues. Instead of open debate and crafting bills that address the issues they attack their own party.

They simply cannot be trusted with running this country their objectives conflict with the best interests of the American people.

Combine all of the above with an active colluding, corrupt and electioneering Big Media and there will be major BARACKLASH.

The People are not as stupid as Democrats believe and will figure this out soon.

[Sally]

Loss of public support didn't stop President Bush from moving forward and trying to achieve victory in Iraq. But I guess Gates knows that our current President isn't going to make that choice when it comes to the war in Afghanistan. This President is going to give up. In a year.

Meanwhile, Karzai wants to negotiate with the Taliban. This may be the way out for Obama. Orchestrate something akin to the Paris Peace talks,cut a deal on paper that lets the Taliban back into the government and then withdraw. Peace with honor. The Taliban will be back in complete control within a year or two but by then Obama should be safely reelected and it won't matter to him.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6719241.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1

[WestWright]

SoD Gates was/is a bad choice for this country. It was obvious from GWB's appointments and actions during his 2nd term that he was beaten and had pretty much given up on everything but Iraq and his love of Hispanic Illegals....the final straw was his reliquishing the mostly Free Economy to his craven SoT Paulson and the Goldman criminals, paving the way for Obummer's travesty.

[KingShamus]

Not to completely exonerate Bush, but at least he didn't give up on Iraq. That loss would've haunted us for decades.

[Dennis D]

Speaking of Afghanistan. Where is the Obama Exit Plan? I haven't heard the term EXIT PLAN from a Dem since Nov 2nd 2008

[torabora]

W didn't 'give up' on either war...he quit meddling and turned the prosecution over to the Generals. That's when things turned for the better in Iraq. The Afganistan War is a quite different animal...and along comes duh1 who sacks it's General and meddles...don't be surprised that things don't go so well.

Undeclared wars...police actions...are (unconstitutional but) winnable. They take incredible patience and the ability to absorb pain for VERY long periods of time. That is because the war aim is not to annihalate the opponent but to turn around a culture. That effort takes a generation or two. We will prevail at a greater cost of blood and treasure than doing things the old fashioned way albeit with our modern firepower.

The big question is whether the Kenyan has ANY appreciation for the notion of America as a force for good in the world...or a cookie jar to be looted by his friends?

[syn]

Now that there is a Democrat in the White House what will ANSWER, Code Pink, United for Peace and Justice do with all their anti-war paper-mached puppets?

One thing is certain, that $10 per hour anti-war job for the sorry sacks did not receive a dime of Obama's stimulus; poor sorry sad sacks are walking around Manhattan wondering what to do now that they have nothing to hate.

Why do Progressives adore being used and abused then thrown into the trash for the next recycled election?

[MarkJ]

syn,

"Why do Progressives adore being used and abused then thrown into the trash for the next recycled election?"

Because they can't, or won't, accept the fact they're in a sado-masochistic relationship. They're like battered wives who keep telling themselves,"Yeah, he beats me but I probably deserve it. And, besides, he still loves the kids and puts food on the table, so he's not all bad."

[torabora]

Stepford Wives = Obama Voters

heh heh heh

[Rich K]

OK, Im gonna go out on a limb here and say it. Gates was retained for one reason only. So when things go sour in AFG the totus can say he gave the Bush guy a chance but his policy was just not cutting it so he had to finally do whats best for the country and replace him.Ill even post the official MS media line: Today with the situation in afganistan becoming tenuous at best President Obama has decided that( insert new guys name here)will be better suited to direct our operations in that theatre to a more fitting result. Quoting the president: It is time to put the failed policies of intervention in the past and start with a new perspective. So in that vain I have asked Mr gates to step down and allow Mr ____ to take us in a new direction both for th good of the aghannies and for our nation.I ask for all the nations involved in this effort to give Mr ___ their full and continued support.

[Rich K]

It figures that without "PALIN" in this thread that it would dry up after only 10 posts.

[mark l.]

http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/07/09/the_bloodiest_month_of_the_war_in_afghanistan

there is a shift in insurgent strategy, suggesting improving organization and support. the switch to ieds does not bode well.

[sweets]

gate on Afghanistan after one year. It's too late.