Many in the U.S. government are beginning to acknowledge the difficulty they could face if they try to follow through on the President’s pledge to begin withdrawing troops in July 2011, without a successful end game. But few expect the Afghan security forces to be ready by July 2011.
There is no doubt that there will be pressure from Gen. David H. Petraeus not to abandon all the sacrifice and treasury that has been spent in Afghanistan.
It is hard to understand what is driving Vice President Joe Biden’s drive to pull out of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has proven to be more difficult than expected and a new debate over the administration’s war strategy cannot be very productive to the new commander nor the troops in the field.
However, the Rules of Engagement have to change. Air and heavy weapons support has to be provided to the troops. The concept of “judicious restraint” has to go.
There is still the AfghanPak question.
The major enemy forces and particularly the Taliban and Al Qaeda leadership are undoubtedly in Pakistan.
The campaign has to be taken to the enemy.
