The Associate Press reported today that these are the five measures that Obama will use to decide if the anticipated request for more troops is an appropriate action.
-The concern about how Afghans, Americans and NATO allies would view a troop increase
-How force size changes might be countered by al-Qaida propaganda and tactics.
-What impact any change would have on neighboring and nuclear-armed Pakistan, where the al-Qaida leadership – including Osama bin Laden – are believed hiding along the rugged, mountainous border.
-The effect on the “health” of U.S. forces, already strained from repeated deployments in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
-How more forces effectively would propel Obama’s goal of denying al-Qaida and its Taliban allies safe havens in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Mr. President the list of consideration ought to include 1)the likelihood of another attack on the United States if U.S. forces are entirely withdrawn from Afghanistan. After all al-Qaida can set up camp in another country. 2)Is Afghanistan crucial to al-Qaidas desire to harm America.
The press ought to be doing more to answer these questions. There is nothing in the press to indicate al-Qaida needs Afghanistan and neither does the United States.
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