Breaking: Obama rejects all current troop options on Afghanistan?
posted at 9:55 pm on November 11, 2009 by Allahpundit
Alternate headline: “Obama votes present.”
President Barack Obama does not plan to accept any of the Afghanistan war options presented by his national security team, pushing instead for revisions to clarify how and when U.S. troops would turn over responsibility to the Afghan government, a senior administration official said Wednesday.
That push follows strong reservations about a possible troop buildup expressed by the U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, according to a second top administration official.
The Times actually saw this coming this morning, before the national security meeting, when it quoted one participant in the meeting as saying, “He’s simply not convinced yet that you can do a lasting counterinsurgency strategy if there is no one to hand it off to.” I can only assume that means he’s leaning towards some sort of benchmark system by which progress in reducing corruption in the Afghan government and training the Afghan army will determine how many U.S. troops are deployed. The reasonable way to do that would be to give McChrystal what he wants up front and then start pulling people out if Karzai drags his feet, but that seems unlikely if The One has rejected all possible options up front. If he decides to deploy troops piecemeal, in gradual installments depending upon whether the Afghans show progress, then he runs into the problem identified by Fred Kagan here. And of course, threatening Karzai with pulling the entire force out is a non-starter. No one believes he’ll do that; the Times has an entire piece tonight devoted to calling his bluff about it. Exit question: How much longer?
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We’re close in age, Liam.
AnninCA on November 11, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I just saw a set of military photos set to “my country tis of thee” ….
the last photo was of a young boy…laying across the top….of his father’s headstone at Arlington with flowers alll over him
ted c on November 11, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Ann, do you know with whom you are arguing here?
publiuspen on November 11, 2009 at 10:41 PM
I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that this is true.
thomasaur on November 11, 2009 at 10:41 PM
No, he’s a lib and a Dem. He and his Party know exactly what they’re doing.
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Although in Washington they may talk about the 90,000 soldiers in the Afghan National Army, no one has reported actually seeing such an army anywhere in Afghanistan. When 4,000 U.S. Marines were sent into Helmand Province in July to take on the Taliban in what is considered one of its strongholds, accompanying them were only about 600 Afghan security forces, some of whom were police. Why, you might ask, didn’t the ANA, 90,000 strong after eight years of training and mentoring, handle Helmand on its own?
MB4 on November 11, 2009 at 10:42 PM
She knows and doesn’t care. She is scum.
thomasaur on November 11, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Well I think worse is on the way. Excuses are being created for a TURN TAIL AND RUN strategy. US did not intervene for Karzai. The purpose was to eliminate safe harbor for terrorists. Kill as many as possible. This is no short term conflict. I don’t think the Precedent is prepared to fight it out. We keep hearing the moderate Taliban BS. Does anybody in their right mind think that Mullah Omar will let that fly? Recently John Kerry dubbed the request from General as too-much-too-fast. That tells me the fix is in.
I think Pakistan is not going after real Taliban (Afghan Taliban). Pakistani Taliban are bunch of amateurs. And the supposed Pakistan army offensive in not going to last into the winter. I suspect Pakistan army is going to move out of there by Christmas.
What if AQ and Afghan Taliban are lying low for an opportune moment to storm and take control of Kabul.
Real prize for AQ is Pakistani nuclear weapons. This is a bunch of hardcore terrorists who know how to hold out.
Mr. Precedent – Be careful. A loss here can be devastating.
antisocial on November 11, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Would you two please just stop. It has turned into Cocoon 3 in here all of a sudden.
Ann, how about you just get Liam to pay for your health care and save the rest of us the trouble.
ClassicCon on November 11, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Heartbreaking. And to think the C in C just can’t quite make a decision even though he has several good plans in front of him. That too is heartbreaking.
truetexan on November 11, 2009 at 10:42 PM
My brother used to press the reset button on my nintendo whenever he started losing. Or he would “accidentally” knock all the pieces off the board in a game of Chess or Risk when he couldn’t figure out what to do. I bet Obama was one of those kids. I hated that crap then and hate it now.
Daemonocracy on November 11, 2009 at 10:43 PM
“Don’t jump to conclusions” is good advice. We’ll see.
JohnJ on November 11, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Sure, because he was the closest to Hillary.
Also, the earth is flat.
Schadenfreude on November 11, 2009 at 10:43 PM
You just gave yourself away as liberal disguising himself as a conservative. We’ve all seen the type.
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I’m not arguing with anyone. I voted GOP, so Obama isn’t my responsibility.
AnninCA on November 11, 2009 at 10:44 PM
LMAO. I was going to tell them to get a room but this works.
Daemonocracy on November 11, 2009 at 10:44 PM
baldilocks on November 11, 2009 at 10:44 PM
LFMAO! LOL. Cacoon 3….HAHAHAHA. God I love HotAir.
portlandon on November 11, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Zero’s poop stinketh.
Maquis on November 11, 2009 at 10:44 PM
More, more, more from you! You’re a lib who is showing out. Gimme more! Tell us all, please, how YOU are so wonderful!
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Yeah, because I am the new guy here…
Quit being such a child and learn to take some advice.
ClassicCon on November 11, 2009 at 10:45 PM
OK, Liam. Be rude to me soon. *haha
You can save your reputation, here.
AnninCA on November 11, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Obama lied, soldiers died.
womball on November 11, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Democrats playing politics with our military? Say it ain’t so!
Just pull out, Obama! God! You disgust me! Our military deserves better, and so does our nation.
SouthernGent on November 11, 2009 at 10:47 PM
True. Hillary would have been a stronger CIC than Obama. I think he’s playing fast and loose with rumors on this. It’s demoralizing.
AnninCA on November 11, 2009 at 10:47 PM
It just occurred to me what Obama reminds me of.
Spin City had an episode in which that hilarious Paul Lassiter character appeared on Regis Philbin’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire? (or whatever it was called). Lassiter was hilarious trying to arrive at his final answer on several occasions.
Forgive me for laughing, but I’ve already cursed enough at my screen.
OT: much as Hannity is a hack, try to catch the replay of the first five minutes of his show. He interviewed Oliver North from Branson, Missouri. Surrounded by veterans, Ollie tore the media a new one, and he received a resounding ovation. It was great.
BuckeyeSam on November 11, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Maybe Obama’s been emailing al-Awlaki for advice?
profitsbeard on November 11, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Ehh, what reputation. Didn’t he just start posting today and all I saw was simplesimon hooking him bait, line and sinker.
ClassicCon on November 11, 2009 at 10:48 PM
I stand on what I am, and attack my enemies with all fury.
By the same way, I stick to those with whom I choose to stick.
Those attacking me are LIBS, trying a new tactic. I want to see them show out.
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Circa 2012:
Just about three years ago I set out on Obama’s Afghanistan road,
Seeking my fame and glory, ordered to turn the mullah’s hemorrhoid into a pot of gold.
Well, things got bad, and things got worse, I guess you will know the tune.
Oh ! lord, stuck in Obama’s Afghanistan again.
Flew in on a big plane, I hope I’ll be in one piece flyin out when I go.
I was just passin’ through, must now be yet another 2 tours or more.
Running out of time and patience, looks like they took more of my friends.
Oh ! lord, Im stuck in Obama’s Afghanistan again.
The Hope and Change man in the White House said yet again I was on my way.
Somewhere I lost his connection, he ran out of words to say.
I came into Kabul, a one year stand, looks like the plans fell through again
Oh ! lord, stuck in Obama’s Afghanistan again.
Mmmm…
If I only had a woman, for evry Obama tour Ive done.
And evry time Ive had to fight while Obama sat back home confused and power drunk.
You know, Id like to catch the next plane back to where Im from.
Oh ! lord, Im stuck in Obama’s Afghanistan again.
Oh ! lord, Im stuck in Obama’s Afghanistan again.
- CCR Soldier Boy
MB4 on November 11, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Are we allowed to throw our shoes at ObaMao now? I have a lot of shoes.
onlineanalyst on November 11, 2009 at 10:50 PM
do they have generic Lithium yet?
Liam would need to know……..
Janos Hunyadi on November 11, 2009 at 10:50 PM
I just emailed my Senator to tell him how sickened I am of this Ft Hood terror attack and how the defense of our country is paramount. Healthcare, eh, not so much.
ted c on November 11, 2009 at 10:50 PM
I’m here over a year.
Well, you can think simplesimon got me, but I’m using him to define YOU.
You’re a lib, and your moniker is a lie, a fake. Like him–who hates and baits–you create a mask.
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 10:51 PM
The worst of it is…
… you just know that when all the reporters and all but selected staffers are removed from the White House, Obama likes to put on a uniform with high boots, lots of leather, and his own personal flag.
Seven Percent Solution on November 11, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Or Nero.
MB4 on November 11, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Cold Feet.
tatersalad on November 11, 2009 at 10:52 PM
You and I have talked before. We agreed on things. Now you attack me?
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Well done, hawkdriver, ’cause the condescension had some swaer words coming out of me.
baldilocks on November 11, 2009 at 10:53 PM
One of the best things pounded into my brain as a child was to carefully examine rationalizing things. Often you’re only working out excuses around your moral boundaries because you know it’s inherently wrong and you shouldn’t be doing it but you want to anyway. And it’s funny to my how our president sure does seem to talk about and rationalize every single teensy thing.
And good point. It’s a shame he was raised with privilege but no parenting.
rogerb on November 11, 2009 at 10:53 PM
five, six, seven eight
open up the Pearly Gate
Don’t got time to wonder why
Whopee!! We’re all gonna die !!
good times, good times. Country Joe & the Fish, before Joe converted to Republicanism
Janos Hunyadi on November 11, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Please, I am not sure I can withstand all your “fury”. Keep telling yourself I’m a lib if it helps you feel better. I just hate seeing people on my side made to look like chumps by a pedo fan like simple. Seriously, trying to look out for you.
ClassicCon on November 11, 2009 at 10:54 PM
..enter Michelle with chains and whips.
What’s their safe word though?
Daemonocracy on November 11, 2009 at 10:54 PM
I know people step in what you are, but I’ve never seen anyone stand on it on purpose.
Sue on November 11, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Just the mention of Ollie in contrast to Obama is like day and night. Even at Ollies age he gets right in the soup with the rest of our heroes.
fourdeucer on November 11, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Gimmie a presidential candidate who advocates pork-blood soaked bullets for our military’s M-16s. F*CK ALL THOSE IGNORANT IMBECILE 7th CENTURY I$LAMIC JIHAD A$$HOLES! SEND THOSE DOPES TO ROT IN HELL WITH THEIR 72 VIRGINS WHERE THEY BELONG!
bannedbyhuffpo on November 11, 2009 at 10:55 PM
How about…
“Let me be clear”
ClassicCon on November 11, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Liam, in the name of love, it’s great to see that it is still blind. Good luck, good man, on the love part, not on her conversion.
For the rest here, who’re not trolls, Ann is a leftie who’s using reverse psychology Obamafare on us. Some can see through it, others can’t. She has hijacked enough threads for us to know. Lately she’s changed tactics, in the hopes no one would find her hout.
Schadenfreude on November 11, 2009 at 10:55 PM
No, man, I attack you not. I was counseling someone else about the gy-normous cost of Ann’s lithium meds. A lot of those anti-psychotics aren’t generic, either, so don’t get lured into picking up her bills……
Janos Hunyadi on November 11, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I heard Petraeus today saying after his meeting with Obama that the most important thing was to prevent Afghanistan from returning to a safe haven for AQ.
Sounded more like a plea to me, than a statement of fact.
tatersalad on November 11, 2009 at 10:56 PM
When did that occur?
ICBM on November 11, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Alright Time for a Beer Summit.
portlandon on November 11, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Nice try, lib.
I can handle myself, whatever happens. I don’t need a nanny, as you dare presume to be for me.
That’s a lib notion. Which tells me you’re a lib.
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 10:57 PM
You’ve posted similar data before concerning the absence of a real Afghan army. After some reading, I tend to agree with you. The question is, who is it Barry thinks he’s going to retrain? If the goal is to uproot and extinguish the Taliban, who’s going to do it, while Barry exercises futility with retraining invisible armies, faries and ghosts?
anXdem on November 11, 2009 at 10:57 PM
“Sssssssssscooooooooozzzzzzzzaaaaaaaffffffaaaaaavvvvvaaaaa!!!”
Seven Percent Solution on November 11, 2009 at 10:57 PM
If I should die on the Russian front
Bury me with a Russian @unt
If I should die on the Russian shore
Bury me with a Russian #hore
If I should die in the Russian air
Bury me with the pair
MB4 on November 11, 2009 at 10:58 PM
I agree with Profitsbeard at 10:31.
Alana on November 11, 2009 at 10:58 PM
I hear ya, sister…
uncivilized on November 11, 2009 at 10:58 PM
I think you captured his essence very well there. And I hate that crap too.
peski on November 11, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Yep. The president’s incompetence is badly hamstringing a mission that grows progressively more unmanageable with each successive week that he dithers.
In Afghanistan, we needed quick and forceful action and it should have happened months ago — instead we got the Handwringer-In-Chief, letting the clock tick, letting America’s options lapse.
A dynamic and forceful decision-maker, he ain’t.
Where’s Curtis LeMay when we need him?
Edouard on November 11, 2009 at 10:59 PM
oops, I meant fairies.
anXdem on November 11, 2009 at 10:59 PM
I’m seeing something else, over time.
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I’m not talking about a military takeover, I’m talking about the military protecting this Republic and themselves from all DOMESTIC and foreign enemies. b. hussien obama and his congress are the greatest threat to this country that I’ve seen in my lifetime and the thought of three more years worries me.
DougDavis on November 11, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Hey MB4, do you feel as much a HA oldtimer as I do? Don’t have the same energy I used to, what with the burden of Hope’n'Change weighing down on me and all.
peski on November 11, 2009 at 11:01 PM
I just think the rumor mill on this is damaging to morale. It’s time to clarify his thinking for the troops.
AnninCA on November 11, 2009 at 11:01 PM
decade or so ago. He’s doing gigs for the Marines, which I believe is a military organization similar to the Army, only the Army is larger, more hierarchically complex, and soldiers have bigger balls.
Janos Hunyadi on November 11, 2009 at 11:01 PM
LMAO! Well played.
Daemonocracy on November 11, 2009 at 11:02 PM
You attacked. Period. Read your own words.
Denial is a staple of libs, so….
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Liam, AnninCA is a pretender. Wake up. The people who you are calling libs are not libs. AnninCA is a liberal. Do you like people like Scozzafava? AnninCA is to the left of Scozzafava.
Americannodash on November 11, 2009 at 11:03 PM
I see threads on here all the time batting back and forth with, what are clearly liberal trolls.
Today was apparently fun for you. (and probably for them, too).
AnninCA on November 11, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Probably not McChrystal.
We don’t win by destroying the Taliban. We don’t win by body count. We don’t win by the number of successful military raids or attacks, we win when the [Afghan] people decide we win.
- General McChrystal (in London some time ago)
MB4 on November 11, 2009 at 11:03 PM
I pray that these news sources are as “wrong” as CBS and McClatchy, and that Osama Obama isn’t really going to end up being the soldier-killing traitor he seems to want to be.
I think this is straight info, and perhaps an attempt on the Traitor-in-Chief’s part to set the stage for another Bush-blaming excuse-fest.
Why Congress isn’t gearing up for an impeachment trial is beyond me. I didn’t want to believe they, too, were as anti-American as they seem.
Things are going to get rough. But one things is clear: the Chicago Jesus and all who think like him, need to be removed from Washington and forever kept away from exercising any further authority over any human beings.
FUBO.
MrScribbler on November 11, 2009 at 11:04 PM
How about an all out effort to destroy Al Qaeda . Did he mention Al Qaeda? I just read the whole headline post and didn’t see Al Qaeda mentioned once. Did I mention A….never mind.
donh525 on November 11, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I am now convinced he does not want to be a part of this war anymore. The whole “Obama’s war” narrative the media started to pick up on was too much for him. He doesn’t believe in these wars, the Axis of Evil or the Global War on Terror and is looking for a way out. The worst Afghanistan looks, the easier it will be for him to pull out. Plain and simple.
Daemonocracy on November 11, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Thanks for posting that. It has been my opinion all along about ObaMao’s hypocritical dithering.
I seriously wonder if ObaMao can articulate WHY we are fighting in Afghanistan. No wonder he runs from the word victory.
onlineanalyst on November 11, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Alumni since May, 2007. I’m just more and more recycling my old comments.
MB4 on November 11, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Don’t you love how The Joker always pulls this crap on significant days?
For Christmas he’s planning to kick over the manger and the baby Jesus.
SagebrushPuppet on November 11, 2009 at 11:07 PM
uh, Liam, this is not an attack. Chill.
Janos Hunyadi on November 11, 2009 at 11:07 PM
It was more a pain in the ass. I’m bored with the libs, who come here in so many ways. Hell, they come here posing as conservatives, fearing to be identified as liberals.
I had no fun in any of this. I want only to enjoy my time with friends in polite discussion. Nothing more.
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Geez O’Pete.
This f*ckwit is making McCellan look like Rommel.
CPT. Charles on November 11, 2009 at 11:08 PM
This must be why in his speech today, he apologized for how poorly VietNam vets were treated. (By the liberal scumbags on *his* side of the aisle, I might add.)
He’s getting ready to do the same thing to these troops… force them to lose a war that could be easily won if it were waged properly.
jana on November 11, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Chill? No way.
YOU attacked, and if you can’t stand to that then so be it.
I see what you did, and call it as I see it.
If you didn’t attack as you claim, then guess what you might consider doing next.
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Ad I imagine simplesimon is just another poster to you.
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Obama: The greatest military strategist the world has seen since Saddam Hussein.
crosspatch on November 11, 2009 at 11:12 PM
I’m no kid. I’m 51.
We’re close in age, Liam.
AnninCA on November 11, 2009 at 10:39 PM
AnninCA: Me thinks,Liam and you,need to get a room!!(Sarc).
canopfor on November 11, 2009 at 11:12 PM
I’m left on some issues. Not on others. Right on some.
Really, aren’t most people a bit of this or that?
I make no apologies, btw. I voted straight Democrat my entire adult life until last year. Frankly, I never paid any attention to the GOP or their positions. It wasn’t relevant. When you’re a straight-ticket voter, it’s easy.
I grew up politically in Indiana and was a precinct captain in Terre Haute, where I was taught to do politics the “Chicago” way. I was so young, I didn’t even know half that stuff was illegal. That was when Independents were first moving away from party politics, and I was taught that was “just awful.”
I’m VERY liberal on many issues, and I really do try not to engage people who are passionate on those issues for too long. It’s not necessary.
I’m also definitely fiscally conservative. I liked Clinton’s politics the best. I’m not such a big Reagan fan.
And, I think Obama is an empty suit.
I am for public option, but I’m for a hospitalization plan/major medical catastrophe deal that is available, has no pre-existing conditions clause. That would be very easy to administer and low-cost. The GOP could offer a very similar benefit within their own principles via different methods. Either way, some federal oversight/intervention would be needed.
Afghanastan is a problem. It requires more war, and I think the country is exhausted from war. We’re broke. Our troops have seen too many tours. We’re frazzled.
I could go on, but I assure you that I do not hide my politics, am frankly amused at the idea that I am “playing” anyone. I’m really quite forthright and frank.
I do avoid personal arguments whenever possible. They seem ugly to me. If someone is that mad at me, I try to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are truly passionate over some issue or another.
Once in awhile, I might smack back. But rarely.
That is a fairly good sum-up of AnninCa.
Some here are tolerant of this. Others aren’t. That’s OK.
AnninCA on November 11, 2009 at 11:12 PM
And replace it with a jug-eared doll that resembles him!
jana on November 11, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Is your brother a Leo?
Obama you’re a douchebag.
Michelle Dubois on November 11, 2009 at 11:12 PM
I’ve always wondered what would have been like to be a Roman citizen under Nero or Caligula. Now I know!
Dhuka on November 11, 2009 at 11:14 PM
It was a serious question. No need for the snark. In addition, Marines are proud soldiers.
ICBM on November 11, 2009 at 11:14 PM
I might consider telling you to f_ck off. Will that work?
Janos Hunyadi on November 11, 2009 at 11:15 PM
This is what we get for electing a beta male as our president. Decision time chief. Chief, chief? He was here a minute ago.
donh525 on November 11, 2009 at 11:16 PM
It was a joke, and Marines aren’t soldiers; they’re Marines
Janos Hunyadi on November 11, 2009 at 11:16 PM
If the premise is that the Afghan people need to root out the Taliban on their own, how will that be possible if they haven’t got an army to achieve the goal? Furthermore, if they (the Afghan people) aren’t willing to fight, then what’s the point of Barry holding our troops perilously hostage?
Barry needs more war strategy training than the Afghans do.
anXdem on November 11, 2009 at 11:16 PM
This guy will only make a decision when he’s at the smallest amount of risk possible.
Apparently, he doesn’t think he’s reached that threshold yet.
(but he’s wrong. As usual)
manofaiki on November 11, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Simpleton showed up after getalife was banned the 2nd time. Simplesimon is a troll who stops by to hijack threads. When people respond to trolls like Simplesimon it only encourages them to continue to take people off the threads topic. We try to ignore the trolls for the most part unless they actually write something that relates to the topic of the thread. That is rare.
Americannodash on November 11, 2009 at 11:18 PM
He does seem more inclined to battle the ‘Tea-baggers’ than the Taliban.
CPT. Charles on November 11, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Go for it.
Liam on November 11, 2009 at 11:20 PM
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