[The Telegraph, U.K.]

Le Figaro, France

'It's Time for Obama to Decide' on Afghanistan

"The president gives the impression of having gone too far in March and not knowing how to change course. … No wonder public opinion is skeptical. If he wants to avoid being sanctioned in the mid-term elections, it's time for Obama to decide."

By Pierre Rousselin

Translated By Pascaline Jay

October 29, 2009

France - Le Figaro - Original Article (French)

If Barack Obama is taking his time making a decision on Afghanistan, it is because the choice he has to make is not a simple one. But the passage of time is not a benefit.

In March, aflame with enthusiasm, he unveiled a new strategy for winning the war. We would use a counter-insurgency strategy to win the war, not just a counter-terrorist one.

General Stanley McChrystal was charged with making recommendations and explaining the change: rather than killing a maximum number of Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters, our troops should protect the Afghan population and help them build a viable state. So far so good. But the question remains: after eight years of war, why in God’s name didn’t we think about this sooner?

In September, General McChrystal responded: to have any chance of success, we should increase the number of troops by 40,000 (the American contingent will be 68,000 by the end of the year). A response that begs the question: don't military men always ask for more troops?

Meanwhile, in Kabul, massive fraud has made a fiasco of the first round of the presidential election. Under these circumstances it's difficult to defend additional sacrifices to defend a discredited ally.

From theory to practice, Obama is having a decidedly hard time taking the next step. An unfortunate sense of indecision has become entrenched.

The president gives the impression of having gone too far in March and not knowing how to change course. By satisfying his generals, does he fear displeasure on the Democratic Party left needed to pass reform of the health care system?

For over a month, Barack Obama has hesitated and consulted. Yet October was the deadliest month for the United States, while Taliban attacks at the heart of Kabul have been increasing.

His vice president, Joe Biden, advises him to deny the requested troops in favor of a greater effort against al-Qaeda in Pakistan. The idea would mean that in the medium term, the allies would focus on defending a dozen cities and allowing the Taliban to control part of Afghanistan.

Eight years after the conflict began the war continues to be waged within a strategic vacuum, without anyone quite knowing what the goal is. No wonder public opinion is skeptical. If he wants to avoid being sanctioned in the mid-term elections, it's time for Obama to decide.   

SEE ALSO ON THIS:  

Liberation, France: Let's Give Afghans 'One More Chance'  

The Nation, Pakistan: Hillary's 'Unfortunate' PR Stunt Falls Flat  

The Nation, Pakistan: Hillary Clinton Should Mind Her Own Media!  

Pak Tribune, Pakistan: In Waziristan, Americans Must Now Stand Aside  

The Frontier Post, Pakistan: 'Rivers of Blood:' West Could Care Less for Afghan Deaths
The Frontier Post, Pakistan: Tell America to Stop Backing Terrorist Attacks on Iran
The Frontier Post, Pakistan: America Reveals Dark Side of the Human Intellect

The Australian, Australia: Before 9-11, Docs Show Split in al-Qaeda Over Attack on U.S.

Asia Times, Hong Kong: China Maps End to the Afghanistan War

The Telegraph, U.K.: Obama Reported 'Furious' at McChrystal Speech  

Gazeta, Russia: U.S. and Russia Share Responsibility for 'Afghan Anthill'

The Frontier Post, Pakistan: Americans Will Pay Dearly For 'Flirting' with Afghan War

The Frontier Post, Pakistan: This Time, the Americans Have Gone Too Far!  

The Frontier Post, Pakistan: It's Obama's Afghanistan Now

Der Spiegel, Germany: Editorial Roundup: U.S. 'Schadenfreude' Over Afghan Air Strike

Der Spiegel, Germany: Germany Pledges Full Probe as Pressure Mounts