Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts

Friday, January 2, 2015

President Obama and "End of Combat Mission"

President Obama marked the end of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan and the start of the Resolute Support Mission (RSM). Read "Statement by the President on the End of the Combat Mission in Afghanistan", The White House Briefing Room, December 28, 2014.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Obama's State of Union Speech Says Little About Afghanistan

The State of the Union speech by Obama provided little new information about Afghanistan. In fact, Afghanistan was hardly mentioned at all. Read more in "For Afghans, Obama's SOTU message on troops was loud and clear", Stars and Stripes, January 30, 2014.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Obama's War of Necessity - Not so Necessary

President Obama, in years past, has described Afghanistan as a 'war of necessity' - which, he was quick to point out, the Iraq War was not. The words 'war of necessity' are being used less now that we have a time-table for withdrawal (2014), a questionable outcome, and pressure is mounting within the United States for an accelerated departure. Obama is banking on negotiations with the Taliban (which the Taliban have temporarily withdrawn from) and the strengthening of the Afghan National Security Forces. Unfortunately, he has two very difficult problems - an ineffective and corrupt Afghan government without the support of the population and an insurgency with sanctuaries in Pakistan and support from the Pakistani military and intelligence services. Read more on this topic in "Obama's Retreat from his 'War of Necessity'", By Marvin Kalb, Brookings, March 19, 2012.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Obama Visits Afghanistan

Obama paid a visit to Afghanistan to meet some of the troops and do a photo op. Presumably he is having some private talks with Karzai and his military leaders as well.  Read more in "Obama in Afghanistan", Afghanistan Crossroads Blog - CNN, December 3, 2010.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Woodward: Obama Has Already Exited Afghanistan

"President Barack Obama's focus on an exit strategy for the Afghanistan war is an indication he is" out of Afghanistan psychologically "according to author Bob Woodward, whose recently released book "Obama's Wars" offers an inside look at the often contentious decision-making process behind the president's wartime strategy."
Read the rest of the article in "Woodward: Obama Out of Afghan "Psychologically", CBS News, September 29, 2010.