Clark: Exit Strategy Needed For Afghanistan

by: Richard Allen Smith

Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 11:32:56 AM EST

Earlier this week, retired four-star General Wesley Clark was on the Hill testifying about Afghanistan before the House Armed Services Committee, where he made recommendations to the committee that we should develop an exit strategy before sending additional troops to the country. In his remarks, General Clark outlined his reasons for such a recommendation:

You've got to "figure out where you're going," Clark told the House Armed Services subcommittee on oversight and investigations. "How do we get out of here? Because our presence long term there is not a good thing. We're playing into the hands of people who don't like foreigners in a country that's not tolerant of diversity. And that's not going to change."

I think General Clark is right on point here. While he favors a smaller force that can focus on a limited counter terrorism fight, that is something I still haven't made up my mind about. But regardless of what our force looks like in Afghanistan, an exit strategy is imperative. I don't mean that we need a specific time line or a date for mandatory withdrawal. What we need is a clear definition of what success looks like-- the conditions that must be present in Afghanistan before we can leave. This will give us goals to work toward rather than seemingly flapping in the winds of mission creep.

Richard Allen Smith :: Clark: Exit Strategy Needed For Afghanistan

Tags: exit strategy, Afghanistan, Wesley Clark, (All Tags)

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Clark: Exit Strategy Needed For Afghanistan | 2 comments

Karzai has requested that security be transferred to Afghan forces whithin five years (0.00 / 0)

From NYTimes:

"The role of the international troops will be gradually reduced," Mr. Karzai said at a midday ceremony held at the presidential palace in Kabul. "We are determined that in the next five years, the Afghan forces are capable of taking the lead in insuring security and stability across the country."

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

by: Chris LeJeune @ Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 10:49:28 AM CST

Yup, the ole "five year plan" (0.00 / 0)

Karzai's term is 5 years and Hillary Clinton has been on hand to grind a high heel into his arches. Seems like the whole inauguration show makes Karzai look more like a "puppet".

Also, I can't help but think about Obama having 'economic' talks with China at this time. Was Obama finding out how long Hu would bankroll AFPak? [China at a minimum gets copper, China got Iraqi oil and are scoring in Africa]

On the other hand it signals to me that Obama is serious about a plan-time table to withdraw.

Getting a time line seems more reasonable than using goal achievements, since I don't see any way to achieve any meaningful goals. Afghanistan = Somalia in my mind.

2009 Most Corrupt Nation List:
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WO...

If we are to focus on 'training up the Afghan Army", I see more MERCS and less troops in Afghanistan. Another suck of the mess we find ourselves in.

The whole tone of the NYT's article is rather skeptical don't ya' think. They, however, left out the fact that 60% of Afghan's are heroin addicted which plays hell with being able to create a viable ANA/ANP force and a stabilized country:

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#...

by: deMeme @ Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 19:04:42 PM CST

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Clark: Exit Strategy Needed For Afghanistan | 2 comments

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