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President Obama Is Right On Afghanistsan

By Big Tent Democrat

The WSJ reports:

President Barack Obama plans to request new funding from Congress for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but he risks a backlash from antiwar lawmakers. . . . Rep. Lynn Woolsey, a California Democrat and leader in the 77-member congressional Progressive Caucus[,] is . . . concerned about the planned escalation in Afghanistan. "I don't think we should be going there," she said.

Similar sentiments echo across the House. Rep. Jim McGovern (D., Mass.) said he fears Afghanistan could become a quagmire. "I just have this sinking feeling that we're getting deeper and deeper into a war that has no end," he said.

With due respect to these fine progressive legislators, I disagree. I will explain why below the fold.

While a quicker drawdown in Iraq would of course be best, at this point that is not going to happen. The real issue it seems to me is Afghanistan. Why do I support President Obama's policy on Afghanistan? Because I believe the United States has a vital strategic interest in (1) stabilizing the region; (2) restraining extremism and terrorism that emanates from the region and (3) the situation in Pakistan is such that a U.S. military presence in the region is necessary.

Some would argue that it is the US's presence in the region that is destabilizing. I disagree. Unlike in Iraq, the region was destablized and problematic long before the US toppled the Taliban in late 2001.

It is both in the interests of the United States and the region that the United States invest military and diplomatic assets to attempting to provide stability and a political solution to the Af-Pak situation. Some think this means simply using military force. This is incorrect. Hard headed diplomacy with Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Taliban and Iran is absolutely vital.

I believe President Obama and his team are on the right track on Afghanistan.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on April 09, 2009 (boomark / email).