Lack of progress in Afghanistan looms large in Obama's presidency
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Obama's strategy to salvage the mission in Afghanistan involves military force, regional and international policies, diplomacy and changing public opinion concerning the U.S. It is a complicated endeavor, all the more intricate since Obama inherited a "disaster, " an under-funded mission rife with missed opportunities that has allowed al-Qaida to regroup and reinvigorate, according to Riedel.
But after 60,000 more troops and tripling economic assistance to Afghanistan since he took office, Obama hasn't "turned that one around," and the military campaign "is still not going in the right direction," commented Riedel.
"Crimes are crimes, no matter who does them," screams an ad on Thursday's New York Times, accusing the current government of continuing the war policies in Afghanistan of the previous administration. It is clear the public has accepted the notion that Obama has claimed ownership of the unpopular war. Even legendary Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward has released a book on the war titled Obama's War.
With the war started by predecessor George W. Bush quickly becoming his own legacy, Obama needs to make progress in Afghanistan, and fast. Dorronsoro argued the only way out is a political route, and the White House seemed to realized that. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Wednesday that the United State supported the reconciliation talks between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban, but requesting the Taliban to renounce al-Qaida, following Afghan law and renounce violence.
The White House is also under political pressure to produce results in Afghanistan. Criticism is rising in Washington on Obama 's strategy, and Congress is demanding more data to demonstrate progress on the ground.
The Obama administration is required to submit a major review on its Afghanistan/Pakistan strategy to the Congress in December. Gibbs, the White House press secretary, on Thursday said the review will "give us a chance to evaluate" the situation in Afghanistan after the additional troops have all been deployed.
"Obviously the President wants to take stock of where we are and see if there are any minor adjustments," said Gibbs, dismissing the notion of major adjustments to the strategy.
