Gen. Jones: tough talk on AfPAK war

28 September 2009 |permalink | email article

The Washington Post’s Bob Woodard was told by retired Gen. James L. Jones, Obama’s national security adviser, that the president has not set a deadline for determining a new strategy or for committing more troops to Afghanistan. It checkmates a request by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top commander in the region, for a time-urgent decision. 

“The bumper sticker here is strategy before resources. This isn’t just about more troops,“ Jones said, adding that “this is bigger than the surge [in Iraq.] This is more complex. There are more moving parts.” He added that is remains possible that after a decision on strategy by the president, McChrystal might change his mind about more troops and how it might affect his thinking in terms of resources.

Asked why al-Qaeda, which is comparatively safe haven in its current sanctuaries in Pakistan, would want to return to Afghanistan where more than 100,000 U.S. and NATO troops are stationed, Jones said, “That’s a good question.”

Given the inability of the U.S. or its allies to kill or capture Osama bin Laden since 9/11, it’s a crucial question now because “A Message from Sheikh Osama bin Laden to the People of Europe” has been received threatening “retaliation” unless their alliance with the U.S. ends. 

Quotable

“Voters of California may continue to question whether someone who declined to participate in the voting process has the interest, skills and patience to navigate through the political process in Sacramento.” Dan Balz in the Washington Post, questioning whether billionaire Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, hammered by the media and party activists for her non-voting record at a weekend state convention, owes voters more than an apology.

“There is no way they can make it that bad.” Bill Clinton told “Meet the Press” that Republicans, while weakened as a party, have hurt Obama and congressional Democrats. But he does not expect a repeat of the 1994 Republican takeover in the 2010 mid-term elections.

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