Afghanistan, Not Iraq

16 July 2008 |permalink | email article

Obama, in a major foreign policy speech, invoked Gen. George Marshall, architect of the famous economic aid plan that helped rebuild Europe after World War II, while offering new approaches to protect U.S. security and rebuild international relations.

Obama argued that the central front on the fight against terrorism was not Iraq – but Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the Taliban is resurgent and Al Qaeda has safe haven.

Citing his early opposition to the Iraq war, he reiterated his commitment to withdrawing troops – “but responsibly” – as opposed to McCain’s support for continuing the war.

He would send at least two brigades to Afghanistan while slamming McCain for suggesting that nation is not in trouble because of a U.S. diversion to Iraq.

“Our troops and our NATO allies are performing heroically in Afghanistan, but I have argued for years that we lack the resources to finish the job because of our commitment to Iraq,” McCain said months ago.

But McCain yesterday for the first time called for additional troops in Afghanistan, noting that the success of the surge in Iraq would make more troops available to commanders.

Just a week ago, McCain was so focused on Iraq that he said the problem was not a troop presence in Afghanistan but the strained relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He said then that the solution was looking at a broad variety of options - none involving an increased troop presence.

Obama has won Round One, forcing McCain’s hand. But McCain responded, “I know how to win wars. And if I’m elected president, I will turn around the war in Afghanistan, just as we turned the war in Iraq around.” Again, it’s really all about being in the wrong country.

Quote of the Day

“I’m concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia.” McCain about Czechoslovakia that split into two separate countries in 1993. The new gaffe contradicts a new Washington Post/ABC News poll that, by 63% to 26%, McCain has a better knowledge of foreign affairs than Obama.

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