Obama on Afghanistan

1. Obama on Afghanistan Alex Altonji, Kelly Glavin, Rachel Miller Political Science 003U http://www.historynetshop.com/mh0908.html

2. Background • Beginning • Intention • Controversy over troop levels • Consult advice of three factions: • Advisors • Congress • Military

3. Troops in Afghanistan • Much division among advisors, military, and congress regarding troop expansion • General McChrystal gave new strategic assessment • 3 options • High risk option- 10,000-15,000 troops • Medium risk option- 25,000 more troops • Low risk option- 45,000 troops • Sparked much debate

4. Advisors

5. Advisors Against Troop Expansion • Vice President Joseph Biden • Expansions may distract from what he considers the more urgent goal of stabilizing Pakistan • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates • Concerned that it would make the US look like an “occupier” • Many consider him key adviser on decision http://supernaturalbotanicals.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/joe-biden.jpg http://02varvara.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/robert_gates-2.jpg

6. Advisors in Favor of Troop Expansion • Richard C. Holbrooke, special representative to the region • Sees more troops as vital to protecting Afghan civilians and undermining the Taliban and Al Qaeda • Secretary of State Hillary Clinton • Vocal in favor of more troops and an advocate for a more robust force http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/07/21/timestopics/holbrooke-190.jpg http://ukcolonel.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/hillary-clinton.jpg

7. “There is a unanimity of opinion about what our objective is, and the objective is to disable and destroy Al Qaeda and remove that threat to our national security. Obviously, there are a variety of opinions about how best to achieve that objective, and it’s valuable and important to hear those views.” -- David Axelrod (senior advisor to Obama) As quoted in the New York Times http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/dennis-byrne-barbershop/david-axelrod.jpg

8. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed Afghanistan during a news briefing at the Pentagon on September 3rd. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/world/23sanger.html

9. Congress

10. Declaration of War Oversight and Appropriation of Fund Establish a Draft Congress’ ROle in Determining Troop Levels

11. Congressional Concerns with Afghanistan Republicans-Conservatives: • National Security/ Terrorist Implications • Pakistan • Protecting Troops Democrats-Liberals: • Cost of War (Monetary/Fatalities) • Depletion of Military Assets (troops, material, etc.) • Development of Afghani Security Forces

12. Support for More Troops John McCain: “. . . more troops were “vitally needed” in Afghanistan and that any delay in ordering more combat forces to the fight would put American lives at risk.” (The New York Times) John Boehner: “’I think it's imperative that the American people and members of Congress hear directly from Gen. McChrystal about the situation on the ground . . .’” (CNN)

13. Support for Training Afghani Forces Carl Levin: “laid out the emerging position of Congressional Democrats by insisting that accelerated efforts to train and equip Afghan security forces should precede any deployment of American troops beyond those already committed by the Obama administration.” (The New York Times) • Levin is articulating the view of many House Democrats

14. Pres. Obama Dilemma John Kerry: “’The prescriptions ranged from dramatically reducing the footprint to expanding our commitment of troops and money to a level that would basically constitute pretty significant nation building,’ he said at the start of Thursday's hearing.” (CNN)

15. Military

16. Obama’s Stance • Conditions for sending troops • Conditions for not sending troops • Statements 3.bp.blogspot.com/

17. Who • Mullen • McChrystal • Petraeus

18. Mullen • Advice • Statements • Why? upload.wikimedia.org

19. Petraeus • Security emphasis • “Situation is doable.” • Troop commitment themarcsteinershow.files.wordpress.com

20. Recent Developments • McChrystal • Classified info leaked • UN speech Wed. • Obama “skeptical” http://budgetinsight.files.wordpress.com

21. Sources • Baker, Peter and Elisabeth Bumiller. “Advisers to Obama Divided on Size of Afghan Force.” The New York Times. Sept 3, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/us/politics/04military.html?_r=1. • Sanger, David E. “Obama’s Task: A Tough Sell on Friendly Territory.” The New York Times. Sept 22, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/world/23sanger.html. • Shanker, Thom. Pushing Back On Troops Call In Afghanistan; [Foreign Desk]. New York Times. 16 Sept. 2009. <http://proquest.umi.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/pqdweb?index=0&did=1859810091&SrchMode=2&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1253638798&clientId=9874> • U.S. needs integrated approach to Afghanistan, Senate panel told. CNN. 9 Sept. 2009. <http://m.cnn.com/cnn/archive/archive/detail/368541/full;jsessionid=A59D0411F4F7FCBBEF2F1BC581388F11.live7i>. • The Weekly Standard. "The Weekly Standard." The Weekly Standard. 19 Sep. 2009 <http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/09/obama_on_afghanistan.asp>. • Shanker, Thom. "Military Chief Says More Troops Needed for Afghan War - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 15 Sep. 2009. 19 Sep. 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/world/asia/16mullen.html?_r=2>. • Baker III, Fred W.. "DefenseLink News Article: Gates Calls for Patience on Afghanistan Troop Decision." U.S. Department of Defense Official News Website. 17 Sep. 2009. 19 Sep. 2009 <http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=558 • Kurtz, Howard. "At Pentagon's Request, Washington Post Delayed Story on Afghanistan Report - washingtonpost.com." washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines. 23 Sep. 2009 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/22/AR2009092203341.html>.