Obama Rules Out Large Reduction in Afghan Force (October 7th)

President Obama met with the leaders of both parties of Congress, to discuss the issue of a requirement for an increase in troops in Afghanistan brought up by his commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley A. McChrystal. Obama wanted to reach a middle-ground in the war, something that was different from just simply sending in more troops or just leaving the country altogether. He plans to have one more meeting before he decides wether or not to grant the General's request for up to 40,000 troops to be added to the war. In response to Obama's stance on finding a middle ground, Senator McCain stood against it, citing experiences the Bush Administration had in Iraq, saying that having half measures "leads to failure over time and erosion of American public support."

Many of the officials present to the meeting said that there was no real option that allowed for a substantial withdrawal of any troops from Afghanistan, and also that President Obama seemed hesitant about sending another 40,000 troops into Afghanistan. Vice President Joseph Biden proposed a different option: to increase the amount of surgical strikes [attacks aimed only at the legitimate target of the military (in this case Al Qaeda), with minimal or no damage to any surrounding areas], while maintaining a constant number of troops, which currently numbers around 68,000. Biden's option for the war makes perfect sense, given the success of recent missile strikes and Special Forces raids against Al Qaeda.

According to the Congressional Research Service, on October 7th, the Afghanistan War reaches the 8-year mark, making it the third longest war in the history of the United States, behind the American Revolution by only 4 months and the Vietnam War by 6 months. If something is not done quickly about this war, public support will diminish greatly, and it will be just like another Vietnam War with such distaste towards it.

Many people present at the meeting also expressed caution for getting deeper into the war and when the end will be. It would be beneficial to the United States if Mr. Obama declined the proposal, because it would signify an approach toward the end of occupation of US troops in Afghanistan. Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said that it would be irresponsible to send in more troops until it became clear what exactly is possible in Afghanistan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/world/asia/07prexy.html?scp=4&sq=october%207%202009&st=cse