MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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November 21, 2009

Afghan decision

President Obama says that a decision on future military strategy in Afghanistan will come soon, probably the first week in December.

Obama has been criticized for taking the past two months and now a few more weeks to decide whether to send more troops to Afghanistan. In late September, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, compiled a 66-page report and stated that if more troops were not sent, the war “will likely result in failure.” He asked for about 40,000 more U.S. troops. About 100,000 allied troops are in Afghanistan now.

No doubt as in Iraq, the presence of more troops would help diminish the fighting. But the Afghan insurgency has shown great resiliency. A civil war and foreign occupations have been going on there for more than 30 years.

Afghanistan is a complicated place. It’s troubles, quarreling and violence warrant not only decisive action but a well thought-out plan. Taking three months to figure out how to finish what is now an 8-year-old war is not too long.

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