Source: Wikipedia
After almost three months of speculation, it appears that President Obama is set to announce a new Afghanistan strategy. News sources are reporting that the president will outline his strategy in a prime time address to the nation on Tuesday, December 1st. Mr. Obama is expected to announce an increase in U.S. military deployment to Afghanistan. The Washington Post reports that the increase could be as much as 30,000 additional U.S. troops with perhaps another 10,000 added forces from NATO allies.
At a press conference yesterday Mr. Obama said, “I’ve also indicated that after eight years — some of those years in which we did not have, I think, either the resources or the strategy to get the job done — it is my intention to finish the job. And I feel very confident that when the American people hear a clear rationale for what we’re doing there and how we intend to achieve our goals, that they will be supportive.”
Much of the focus in the debate over U.S. strategy in Afghanistan has centered on the U.S. military goals and troop levels. Afghanistan, however, needs a strategy that goes beyond military goals. If the U.S. intends to make progress and “finish the job,” Mr. Obama’s “clear rationale” must at least include the following elements:
- Genuine economic and community development efforts;
- Robust regional and local diplomacy;
- Protection of civilian populations by dramatically reducing air strikes and drone attacks;
- Address corruption and help foster a legitimate Afghan government.
When President Obama makes his announcement next week, his plan for Afghanistan must refocus away from a military only approach to a genuine peacebuilding effort.
