Obama's War? (Iraq, Taliban, Afghanistan, marines)

[Delta Planter]

Shades of LBJ and Nam, after Kennedy.

"We have to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in," says Barack Obama of the U.S. war in Iraq. Wise counsel.

But is Barack taking his own advice? For he pledges to shift two U.S. combat brigades, 10,000 troops, out of Iraq and into Afghanistan, raising American forces in that country from 33,000 to 43,000.

Why does Barack think a surge of 10,000 troops will succeed in winning a war in which we have failed to prevail after seven years of fighting? How many more troops is he prepared to commit? Is the Obama commitment open-ended?

For, without any visible strategy for victory, Barack is recommending the same course LBJ took after the death of JFK. Johnson bombed North Vietnam in 1964, landed Marines in 1965 and built U.S. forces from 16,000 advisers on Nov. 22, 1963, to 525,000 troops in January of 1969.

Obama's War? - HUMAN EVENTS

[Habsburg]

So when Bush has a surge, it's brilliant, but when Obama has a surge, it's Vietnam 2.0.

[zentropa]

Is 10,000 troops really considered a "surge"? Or just a correction to a situation where we were extremely undermanned?

[trlhiker]

Originally Posted by Habsburg

So when Bush has a surge, it's brilliant, but when Obama has a surge, it's Vietnam 2.0.

Well said.

[Mircea]

Originally Posted by Habsburg

So when Bush has a surge, it's brilliant, but when Obama has a surge, it's Vietnam 2.0.

You're going to send two armored brigades into the Himalayan foothills? Patton, Rommel and Malinovksy would be turning in their graves.

If the MSM doesn't engage in a blackout, maybe we can see something entertaining on TV, like US tanks burning.

[Delta Planter]

Originally Posted by Habsburg

So when Bush has a surge, it's brilliant, but when Obama has a surge, it's Vietnam 2.0.

Did I say that? Did I infer that? No, but it might shake out that way.

[LJS8510]

I think you make some good points, you learned well from Bush mistakes.
Lets hope Obama does also. I am willing to bet he will not fire any Generals that disagree with him. I am sure he will consult with Colon Powel.
I think the major objective will be to get Bin Laden.
The war could be and hopefully will be concluded at this point. Just as in Iraq some contingent troops will stay. If not it could end up as disastrous as Iraq.
We got Sadam but had no plans to occupy where we were not wanted. To few troops.
Of course there was another reason to stay in Iraq,
that was oil and Afghanistan has none!
That I know of. they do have poppy's

[Elmonellie]

Originally Posted by trlhiker

Well said.

Huh?

[walidm]

We simply need to look at this from the beginning - Why are we in Iraq & Why are we in Afghanistan? Two distinctly different answers should result.

[Major Minor]

The USSR learned a hard lesson in Afganistan. We would be wise to use caution.

Obama has absolutely no military experience. He proposes increasing our presence in Afganistan which might result in an increased level of warfare. Afganistan may well turn into another Vietnam. It certainly cost the USSR!

The Taliban have 3 stratagic advantages (1) They are fighting a gurrella war in rough terrain. Something they are experienced doing. (2) The control the high ground and passes (3) They can easily slip across the border into Pakistan where our troops cannot go.

Our forces have performed admirably in limited combat sittuations. The problem for our forces has been twofold: (1) We are forced into a seek and destroy mode because of Taliban tactics. (2) Our forces are reactive and not active.

Will the Obama plan to increase troop levels work or will it backfire on us like it did on the Soviets?