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Return to Article: Democrats split over Afghanistan exit demands

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  I could be wrong as it has been many years since I studied History, but I can't think of a single war that we have fought where we had an exit strategy. As Ed stated you fight until you win and have achieved your objectives -- destruction of the enemy and assurances that they can not come back in power again. That's what's wrong in our current "wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unless the US is willing to commit to a long term engagement -- maybe 15 years or more -- as soon as we leave, those we tried to destroy will come back to power. As a military vetern of 37 years I was opposed to the Iraq war and I'm opposed to Obama's war in Afghanistan. Maybe this is his way of showing he's strong on defense?

  Bob Moore Posted July 2, 2009 9:54 AM
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  It may be difficult to determine exactly what 'victory' looks like in Afghanistan. There will certainly be no formal surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri. What will be needed is winning the 'hearts and minds' of the Afghan people while at the same time decisively crushing the Taliban and Al Qaeda at every engagement. We need to show the Afghan people that in peace there is no better friend than the American people while at the same time give no quarter to terrorists and extremists. I guess the best way to look at 'exit strategy' is to decide what the conditions for being able to draw down and eventually leave are and look like. It certainly won't look like Patton wanting to drive into Berlin and personally shooting "that paper hanging S.O.B."

  03 Grunt Posted July 2, 2009 9:27 AM
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  I really do not understand why we arein Afghanistan. OBL, years ago, relocated to Pakistan. So, what is so special that we have to stay?

  Bob Ramos Posted July 2, 2009 8:29 AM
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  Typical Democratic leadership style.

  Paralysis through analysis.

  Tom Posted June 29, 2009 8:03 AM
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  as mccain has said with barak at the helm we will be there for 100 years

  dan m ketter Posted June 27, 2009 2:59 PM
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  I agree with Ed. That's why we are still fighting the Nazi's in Germany, the Imperial Japanese in Japan, the Fascists in Italy, the Brits in England.........

  Kurt Posted June 26, 2009 10:53 AM
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  I find it hard to believe that there is no exit strategy for Afghanistan as there was an overarching strategy at the beginning of the war. Regardless of whether someone accepts the strategy as viable, or if it is not a military strategy, that does not discount the fact one exists. As the military is an arm of political policy, so is the state department, and without setting the conditions for a country to sustain itself there can be no steps taken toward a military exit. In the words of General (retired) Powell, we broke it and so we must fix it.

  Richard McDonald Posted June 26, 2009 9:05 AM
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  "A military strategy that has no exit is no strategy at all," McGovern said Thursday. How's this strategy. When you go to war you fight until you win. When you win you leave. Enough said.

  Ed Posted June 26, 2009 8:32 AM