Powell to Obama: ‘Take your time’ on Afghanistan

In an interview Wednesday with columnist Roland S. Martin, Gen. Colin Powell said that on the issue of sending additional troops to Afghanistan he had advised President Obama to “take your time” and “not be rushed into a decision.”

“This one is the decision that will have consequences for years to come,” Powell said he’d told the president. “If you decide to send more troops … make sure you have good understanding of what those troops are going to be doing and some assurance that the additional troops will be successful.”

“You’ve got to make sure that you are putting this commitment on a solid base,” continued Powell, “and the base is a little soft right now. … Karzai’s been told he’s got to do something about this [corruption], and he’s got to do something about the drug problem, and he’s got to start pulling the Afghan people together.”

“So Mr. President, don’t get pressed by the left to do nothing, don’t get pushed by the right to do everything,” Powell concluded. :You take your time and you figure it out. You’re the commander in chief and this is what you’re elected for.”

Gen Powell knows a little about proper troop levels and what it takes to win a war, with proper strategy and tactics, unlike the stupid neo-cons bush relied on.

US envoy to Kabul urges against new troops: report

The US envoy to Afghanistan has written memos to Washington expressing deep concern over possible deployment of thousands of new troops to the country, US media said Wednesday, citing senior US officials.

Ambassador Karl Eikenberry’s classified cables reportedly detail his strong reservations against sending reinforcements until Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s government shows it can tackle insipid corruption that has spurred the Taliban’s resurgence, The Washington Post and New York Times said.

Eikenberry’s cables also expressed worries over Karzai’s erratic behavior, according to US officials familiar with the memos, the Post said.

The correspondence was sent ahead of President Barack Obama’s critical war cabinet meeting Wednesday at the White House on what course to pursue against the bloody insurgency in the country. Related article: Obama warns on Afghan committment

Eikenberry joined the policy meeting by video link from Kabul, said the Times, adding that Obama discussed his concerns with him, according to officials who requested anonymity.

The envoy also voiced concern that sending tens of thousands of additional troops to the war-wracked country would boost Afghanistan’s reliance on US security forces as the Obama administration calls on Kabul to take over more responsibility in the conflict.

Eikenberry’s views are in stark contrast to top US and NATO commander General Stanley McChrystal who warned that without tens of thousands more US troops in the next 12 months, the Afghan mission “will likely result in failure.”

Sucks to have responsible adults back in charge don’t it wingnuts?

The only thing that will really piss me off is if those soldiers are sent into Pakistan or Iran. Seriously, my head will explode! But for now….I am thrilled with our president!

I guess being with our soldiers this week has made him rethink the responsibility of sending our soldiers into battle. It’s a huge responsibility and it was something George Bush was fine to do, because Georgie is not a compassionate man at all!

The President and his team discussed the length of time that it would take to implement the options he’s been presented.

The President believes that we need to make clear to the Afghan government that our commitment is not open ended. After years of substantial investments by the American people, governance in Afghanistan must improve in a reasonable period of time to ensure a successful transition to our Afghan partner.

Resources were discussed at the meeting. Contrary to published reports, the President has not made a decision about the options presented.

Good for him,

The idiot bush’s rush to war to be a great war president, failed miserably,

Hopefully President Obama can clean up both the messes bush has made in the middle east.