Senior Admin Official: US forces will Begin to Leave Afghanistan ‘Before End of Obama’s First Term’
EmailA senior administration official tells ABC News that President Obama's new strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan will result in Afghan forces standing up on an accelerated basis, allowing US forces to leave before the end of 2012.
The official, who spoke to ABC News on condition of anonymity to preview the president's speech at West Point this evening, said "there's going to be an initiative of Afghans taking responsibility in certain geographic areas, certainly during this term."
That will allow, the official said, a "thinning out" of the estimated 100,000 US forces in the country by then — some 70,000 in Afghanistan currently, with the president about to send 30,000 more — "by the end of the president's first term."
The president's strategy will include accelerated training of Afghan forces, an emphasis on security for population centers, and "bringing security to more areas of the country," the official said.
That, he said, will "bolster the confidence of the Afghan people in US resolve," which will lead to more Afghans joining the army and police.
The official rejected the argument that off-ramps or timelines for US withdrawal would undermine that confidence, saying that military surges in general are for specific periods of time and not open-ended.
The goal of the president's strategy has not changed, he said: "disrupting, dismantling and defeating al Qaeda."
In Pakistan, that goal means degrading extremist forces who threaten the government, keeping the government stable, ensuring the security of its nuclear weapons, and reducing tensions with India.
In Afghanistan, the official said, that goal means reversing the momentum of the Taliban so the Afghans can govern themselves.
The Afghan government will need to take on greater responsibility for its own security, and the US will focus on key minstries and on local governments, he said.
Earlier this year, approximately 320 US civilian personnel were in Afghanistan. By the first quarter of 2010, the official said, the number will be closer to a thousand. Around sixty percent of the new civilian forces will be based outside Kabul.
– jpt
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“WE SURRENDER”
Posted by: I apologize for being an American | December 1, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
I love that. His “first term”. Like there’s really going to be a second?
Talk about counting your chickens.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | December 1, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
“The official, who spoke to ABC News on condition of anonymity”
Oh please. The government continues to think we buy into this “anonymous sources say” crap.
Was this the same source who ran down Tiger’s driveway with a golf club to “rescue him” from his Escalade?
Posted by: Live! From DC! It's Sat Night! | December 1, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
“The president’s strategy will include accelerated training of Afghan forces”
Which will be implemented by dragging the men out their homes, sticking a badge on their clothes, and using the “created/saved” method of counting them as “trained.”
Posted by: Live! From DC! It's Sat Night! | December 1, 2009, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
“will result in Afghan forces standing up on an accelerated basis, allowing US forces to leave before the end of 2012.”
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Hummm… leaving by the end of his term… sounds like we are about to have another Nixonian – “declare victory and leave strategy” just like we did in Nam..
You can’t fix stupid..
Posted by: arkievet | December 1, 2009, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
Posted by: Live! From DC! It’s Sat Night! | Dec 1, 2009 2:52:55 PM
All the armchair generals sitting behind their computer screens who suddenly know how the war should be conducted . . . sure thing . ..
Posted by: tierra | December 1, 2009, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
“Tank you, Amerrrikee!” — Taliban
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | December 1, 2009, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
What happened in Veet Nam is that we weren’t committed. We were bogged down by debate, just as Obammy has been bogged down by debate over “strategy.” CNS News reports that 117 Americans have died in Afghanistan since the first request for reinforcements. Indecision is what defeated us in Veet Nam, and it is what defeats us in Afghanistan. The terrorists are taking keen note.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | December 1, 2009, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
How in the world is this going to work?
Tuning into Obama’s speech tonight for sure. Withholding judgment until then.
Posted by: PA Independent | December 1, 2009, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
Indecision is what defeated us in Veet Nam, and it is what defeats us in Afghanistan.
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What defeats in Afghanistan is that Bush and Cheney had the Taliban and al Qaeda within their sights and then backed off to attack Iraq – and they then dithered over Afghanistan for 7 years leaving it on the back burner.
There is a new plan that’s been developed. Let’s give it a chance and back it – and hope it has better success.
Posted by: tierra | December 1, 2009, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
Yet another deadline Mr. President will miss.
Posted by: den | December 1, 2009, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
Further involvement in Afghanistan is a mistake…that being said tho’,,
Are there any lies, is there anything at all, these neo-con/republican/rightwing/fringe failure folks will say to cover up their 8 long years of madness?
Dana Perino says there were NO terrorist attacks on America during Bush/Cheney
Cheney was asked if he thinks the Bush administration bears any responsibility for the disintegration of Afghanistan because of the attention and resources that were diverted to Iraq. “I basically don’t,” he replied without elaborating.
Cheney’s statement comes right on the heels of a Senate report saying that the United States missed an opportunity to capture Osama bin Laden in December 2001, in Tora Bora.
Posted by: Oh Yeah | December 1, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
So this is one big pander to the far right, and he makes up for it by appeasing the left by pulling out just before the re-election campaign, eh? If they can leave THEN, why can’t they leave NOW!!! “Bueller… Bueller… Bueller???”
Posted by: jafo | December 1, 2009, 11:57 pm 11:57 pm