NSN Daily Update – 7/17/08 Posted by The National Security Network

McCain has a lot of unanswered questions on Iraq, Afghanistan

John McCain’s incoherent views on foreign policy are becoming increasingly apparent. A New York Times editorial noted that John McCain has never laid out a clear strategy for Iraq and has never defined what he means by “winning.” On McCain’s Afghanistan reversal, the Times describes McCain as being “confused” leaving the Times “wondering how well informed his ideas are.” It is past time for John McCain to clarify his positions on Iraq and Afghanistan and lay out in detail how he plans to achieve what he is claiming.

McCain still does not have a coherent plan for Iraq and has never defined what “winning” in Iraq means. A New York Times editorial this morning explains that John McCain has never laid out a coherent plan for Iraq. The New York Times writes McCain “is still tied in knots, largely adopting Mr. Bush’s blind defense of an unending conflict.”  Further noting, “it was distressing to hear Mr. McCain still talking about ‘winning’ the war in Iraq and adopting the tedious tactic of accusing Mr. Obama of ‘giving up’ when he talks about a careful withdrawal of troops,” the Times added , “We have no idea what winning means.” [NY Times, 7/17/08]

McCain reverses course on Afghanistan, but confusion remains over his plan. Initially, McCain thought the war in Afghanistan was won and dismissed the Al Qaeda threat.  In April 2003, despite emerging signs that the Taliban and al Qaeda are reconstituting, McCain said, “nobody in Afghanistan threatens the United States of America,” and in October 2005 McCain said, “we don't read about [Afghanistan] anymore, because it's succeeded.” Yet on Tuesday McCain reversed his position and endorsed Barack Obama’s plan of sending more troops to Afghanistan. As the New York Times explains, “he seemed confused about whether they would be American forces drawn from Iraq or an American-NATO mix, leaving us wondering how well formed his ideas are.” Rosa Brooks adds in the LA Times, “On Tuesday, McCain released a ‘comprehensive strategy for victory in Afghanistan.’ Previous claims of success were forgotten. ‘The status quo is unacceptable,’ McCain's campaign declared, but ‘McCain will turn around the war.’ Right! Until we move on to the next country!” [NY Times, 7/17/08. LA Times, 7/17/08]

The military is increasingly concerned about the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently said he wants to send more troops to Afghanistan “sooner rather than later.” Additionally, Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who recently returned from meetings with commanders in Afghanistan, said more troops were needed.  “It's a tougher fight, it's a more complex fight, and they need more troops to have the long-term impact that we all want to have there,” said Mullen. [AFP, 7/17/08. AP, 7/16/08]

Quick Hits

A car bomb killed 12 people in Northern Iraq, following a series of attacks in past days that left 35 army recruits dead. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Michael Mullen continues to advocate withdrawing more U.S. troops from Iraq this fall.

A Wall Street Journal article uncovers America’s dangerous reliance on security contractors in Iraq, highlighting the dangers of privatizing security efforts and instances of corruption and mercenary tactics without adequate oversight.

The Guardian reports that the US plans to station diplomats in Iran after almost 30 years of severed relations. The permanent American diplomatic presence there is attributed to President Bush’s conviction to leave with a “positive legacy that he can point to.”

The NY Times analyzed the Administration’s apparent shift in policy towards Iran. While the White House seeks to evade “flip-flopping” charges, their recent change in tact has raised the ire of John Bolton.

Comments

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!