Commit to Afghanistan or Get Out
Commit to Afghanistan or Get Out – Kori Schake, Wall Street Journal opinion.
In his inaugural address in 1961, John F. Kennedy said the United States would “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend” in defense of liberty. Less than three months later, he decided not to supply air support to US-trained Cuban exiles who tried to overthrow Fidel Castro in the Bay of Pigs Invasion. It wasn’t a shining moment for American foreign policy. But JFK was right to turn off the spigot of American assistance if he wasn’t committed to the fight. President Barack Obama now faces a similar tough decision. The war in Afghanistan is not going well. The rebuilding effort isn’t going well. The effort to create a competent government isn’t going well. So should he commit American support if he isn’t committed to doing what is needed to succeed?
Mr. Obama owns the war in Afghanistan. He bought it, on credit. But he is fulminating at the cost now that the bill is coming due. Gen. Stanley McChrystal has made clear what the bill will be in terms of additional troops. And the president now wants a review to determine whether we’re pursuing the right strategy. It is disappointing that this review comes after the president decided to keep 68,000 Americans risking their lives in Afghanistan. But Mr. Obama is right to give himself a chance to decide whether he is —to follow through on this war, given what it will cost in blood, treasure, and other things…
More at The Wall Street Journal.
