Ask Andrew Bacevich About Afghan Escalation

There are 16 comments on Ask Andrew Bacevich About Afghan Escalation

1. Obama’s presidential honeymoon is over with this decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. He has inherited Bush’s war. Various experts have pointed out that Pakistan is the main problem in that area, not Afghanistan, and that fighting in Afghanistan is not in our national interest. Yet Obama is sending more troops without a clear timetable for non-combatant efforts there and is sending a mixed message by signaling a pull-out in time for the next presidential re-election.

   Continuing to fight a war in Afghanistan is bound to have a negative effect on the U.S. economy and may undermine domestic efforts at recovery and reform.

   Public opinion is against a protracted U.S. military commitment in Afghanistan.

   Obama may be over-confident in this decision and is showing that he is more of a centrist than a liberal.

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2. 1. In light of the troop escalation, what in particular do you find to be similar with respect to foreign policy between this administration and the last.

   2. How do you, if you do, find them differing in their posture toward international relations.

   3. Do we currently have room to be more at ease, or perhaps less in dis-ease, with the current administration’s articulation and understanding of national security?

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3. I personally don’t see how 30,000 more troops and 18 monthes will change the course in Afganistan. Based on the history of this region and it’s tribal rule in your view is there any hope for the President’s plan to work? I would like to have success before we pull out but I don’t believe this will happen. Am I wrong??

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4. Prof. Bacevich,

   I saw your interview on Democracy Now! this morning, and I thought it was very interesting.

   Why do you think the international community continues to tolerate American exceptionalism?

   Thanks,

   Lauren Fisher

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5. The President came across to me as very wishy-washy and determined to try to “please” both those who want the US out of Afghanistan, and those who believe our military should remain there and “win.” I have no real confidence in his ability to command our troops from any but a political position. It strikes me that that commanding wisely requires to place domestic politics after the value of the lives of our servicemen and women. What is your take on the quality of leadership he is exhibiting.

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6. after the vietnam war,henry kissinger created the mess in chile 1971,cypres 1974 ,indonesia 1974,iran 1977, afganistan conflict from the mudjahidins against the legal communist regime in afganistan,the conflict between iqa and iran from 1981 until 1989.
   i won’t mention the conflicts of georgia 2008 and israelo-palestinian conflict from xmass of 2008,but i would aks.

   why obama doesn’t concentrate on rwanda and sudan issues,why he as a african american doesn’t care about his fellow black people not to be slaughtered with millions,but he is dealing with small scale projects?

   second question is the kurds are more than 25 million world wide,why no one helps them to get a country,but usa helps kosovo to be a country with 10 times less poipulation.where is obama’s justice?

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7. Profesor Bacevich, The hostility towards US intervention in Afghanistan is still quite obvious but the recent Kerry-Lugar law has also created immense discontent and mistrust from the Pakistani side. How do you see the escalation of US troops playing out in regional stability/politics in the ‘Af-Pak’ region?

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8. With corrupt leader Karzai and a drug based economy, is there any hope to establish a legitimate government in Afghanistan?

   NATO is ready to offer 5,000 additional troops for Afghanistan. Shouldn’t NATO be offering more military and civilian support, since al-Qaeda is a threat people worldwide and the creation of a stable Afghan government is imperative?

   Can you address the situation in Pakistan?

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9. Mr. Bacevich I just saw you on CNN talking about the Afghan escalation and I found your comments totally right. I can’t understand what makes Mr. Obama think that the US would be able to gain something out of this conflict, lets be realistic the US hasn’t
   won a war since……………… (sorry I can’t remember). I’m sick and tired of paying taxes to support an ideology that is not my own. I don’t see Afghanistan as a mayor threat, considering that anyone can enter our country, legally or illegally any one with money can get a fake passport. We are not better prepared than the Soviets, so, why would we allow our government to spend what we don’t have. The main concern of the Administration should be the people here, not somewhere else, I pay taxes for us and our children, not to go around the world indoctrinating people.

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10. Thank you Col Bacevich for your comments on air at CNN, that so clearly and thoughtfully articulated what I personally feel.
    Your status gives you credibility and weight in this discussion, and I wish you success in being able to create an influence.
    Given political realities, it seems too late for Obama to change the course that he has now charted, but at least those of us who disagree have a spokesman.

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11. Professor Bacevich, can you speak to any historical examples of successful counterinsurgency operations carried out by traditional military forces? If so, what made them successful and how can those qualities be adapted for the war in Afghanistan? If not, can you describe what you see as the most effective use of the increased military personnel in Afghanistan?

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12. Do we really have any hope of achieving our mission in Afghanistan with Karzai’s corrupt central government?

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13. What would you envision happening to Afghanistan if a troop withdrawal were immediate? How do you think the Taliban and al Qaeda would react to the situation? How would sending troops benefit?

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14. Do you think that the President “gave into” the COIN Generals, of neo-conservative leanings, who want to keep their counterinsurgency strategies successful in the public eye, delaying the inevitable stamp of failure on their currently popular strategy?

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15. Thanks for being here, professor. I am curious as to your thoughts regarding Wisconsin Rep. Dave Obey’s new push to raise taxes on high income earners to, at minimum, end the use of fiat money to finance the war in Afghanistan, or more optimistically, to make the war more politically difficult. Given your opposition to President Obama’s just-announced troop increase, do you think this is an effective means of opposing the war via fiscal and political means? Why or why not?

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16. Mr. Bacevich,
    What is one question you have found useful in asking neo-conservative, pro-war interventionist folks that puts them on their heels – gives them pause?
    I am surrounded by christian american empire worshipping family and friends and belligerence is a given and only excalates the moment they get wind that you might disagree. Maybe it’s not possible but is there a good question that might ‘shut’em up’ and make them think for at least a few seconds. I’m really tired of their juvenile, illogical bluster when it comes to our foreign policy black hole.

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