Comments on: Afghanistan Pullout VERY Flexible http://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/ Online Defense and Acquisition Journal Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:13:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: BereavedMilhttp://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/#comment-17360 BereavedMil Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:30:18 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=11796#comment-17360 Erase by posts if you wish.......it will still be published elsewhere ;)) Erase by posts if you wish.……it will still be published elsewhere ;))

]]> By: WarScientisthttp://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/#comment-17323 WarScientist Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:24:35 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=11796#comment-17323 "After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home" That says it all really. All he has to do by the time that deadline gets here is get at least 1 soldier back home. Im pretty sure the only reason he said that was to give the other NATO states involved the proof that they wouldnt be there forever, as some countries are starting to waver. NATO forces need to stay in afghanistan until the job is done. The advantage is that they are not only dismantling one of the worlds largest terrorist organisations, but they are also going to be dismantling one of the worlds most profitable drug rings. A gradual pullout once certain objectives are achieved and once afghan troops reach an adequate readiness level is really the only option. “After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home”

That says it all really. All he has to do by the time that deadline gets here is get at least 1 soldier back home.

Im pretty sure the only reason he said that was to give the other NATO states involved the proof that they wouldnt be there forever, as some countries are starting to waver.

NATO forces need to stay in afghanistan until the job is done. The advantage is that they are not only dismantling one of the worlds largest terrorist organisations, but they are also going to be dismantling one of the worlds most profitable drug rings.

A gradual pullout once certain objectives are achieved and once afghan troops reach an adequate readiness level is really the only option.

]]> By: Mikehttp://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/#comment-17303 Mike Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:12:36 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=11796#comment-17303 "The views expressed in this blog comment are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government" As a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, and soon to be deploying again to Afghanistan in six months, I would like to offer my thoughts on this blog article. With respect to the Afghanistan pullout timeline being VERY flexible, this is a must if this strategy is going to succeed. Saying now that the surge troops will be removed after 18 months is unrealistic and potentially dangerous. However, I can see the possible benefits, IF and ONLY IF this commentary is to be used to persuade our allies to commit to defeating the Taliban resurgence. But, the heated debate surrounding any type of military pullout timeline is simply too politically charged to possibly achieve this goal. Everyone must understand that this surge completion is event and not time driven. We must also be careful in not using the same equation that worked in Iraq and apply it to Afghanistan. The tribal networks interact differently in Afghanistan than they do in Iraq. Simply sending over more troops is not the solution. As stated in his speech at West Point, President Obama emphasized the three lines of operation needed to turn the tide: a military increase to fight the Taliban and increase training to the Afghan forces; an increase in Department of State personnel to help improve the Afghan government; and strengthening our ties with Pakistan to ensure its security. It will take a combined effort between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of State (DoS). This combined effort will entail the DoD focusing upon the military and informational elements of national power and the DoS leading efforts along the diplomatic and economical, as well as contributing to informational elements of national power. GEN McChrystal understands this and has created a strategy that I believe will show marked improvements in Afghanistan in the coming year. “The views expressed in this blog comment are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government“
As a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, and soon to be deploying again to Afghanistan in six months, I would like to offer my thoughts on this blog article.
With respect to the Afghanistan pullout timeline being VERY flexible, this is a must if this strategy is going to succeed. Saying now that the surge troops will be removed after 18 months is unrealistic and potentially dangerous. However, I can see the possible benefits, IF and ONLY IF this commentary is to be used to persuade our allies to commit to defeating the Taliban resurgence. But, the heated debate surrounding any type of military pullout timeline is simply too politically charged to possibly achieve this goal. Everyone must understand that this surge completion is event and not time driven. We must also be careful in not using the same equation that worked in Iraq and apply it to Afghanistan. The tribal networks interact differently in Afghanistan than they do in Iraq. Simply sending over more troops is not the solution. As stated in his speech at West Point, President Obama emphasized the three lines of operation needed to turn the tide: a military increase to fight the Taliban and increase training to the Afghan forces; an increase in Department of State personnel to help improve the Afghan government; and strengthening our ties with Pakistan to ensure its security. It will take a combined effort between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of State (DoS). This combined effort will entail the DoD focusing upon the military and informational elements of national power and the DoS leading efforts along the diplomatic and economical, as well as contributing to informational elements of national power. GEN McChrystal understands this and has created a strategy that I believe will show marked improvements in Afghanistan in the coming year.

]]> By: roberthttp://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/#comment-17282 robert Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:19:05 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=11796#comment-17282 China is mining cooper in Afghanistan and we are guarding them. Why don’t we let them fight the war, I would say that they would not put up with what we do. China is mining cooper in Afghanistan and we are guarding them. Why don’t we let them fight the war, I would say that they would not put up with what we do.

]]> By: Drake1http://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/#comment-17280 Drake1 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:04:26 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=11796#comment-17280 Correct me if I'm wrong, but journalists, scholars, and scientists currently do this with or w/o ties to think tanks, or anonymously sourced dollars. Correct me if I’m wrong, but journalists, scholars, and scientists currently do this with or w/o ties to think tanks, or anonymously sourced dollars.

]]> By: Daniel Russhttp://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/#comment-17278 Daniel Russ Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:47:51 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=11796#comment-17278 @ William C., I suggest honest independent sources comprised of actual journalists and scholars, not biased institutions that put millions of anonymously sourced dollars into a specific point of view despite the facts to the contrary, or rewriting the historical facts to bolster the points of view of their backers. Since when does a "think tank" cover anything but their own agendas? Respectfully, Daniel Russ Civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com @ William C.,

I suggest honest independent sources comprised of actual journalists and scholars, not biased institutions that put millions of anonymously sourced dollars into a specific point of view despite the facts to the contrary, or rewriting the historical facts to bolster the points of view of their backers.

Since when does a “think tank” cover anything but their own agendas?

Respectfully,

Daniel Russ
Civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com

]]> By: William C.http://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/#comment-17276 William C. Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:17:32 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=11796#comment-17276 Then what sources do you suggest? Our horribly biased media outlets with their sloppy coverage, lack of details, and poor analysis? At least these think tanks are willing to cover the place rather than what some celebrity is wearing. Then what sources do you suggest? Our horribly biased media outlets with their sloppy coverage, lack of details, and poor analysis? At least these think tanks are willing to cover the place rather than what some celebrity is wearing.

]]> By: Daniel Russhttp://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/#comment-17274 Daniel Russ Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:04:54 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=11796#comment-17274 Michael O Hanlon went to Iraq and a friend of mine planned his "escort" through combat zones, and a US military PR circuit. Michael O Hanlon got the exact same scripted tour that every other W loving hack got. The same speeches, the same "this is off the record" talks the same "this is really what's happening" talks and believed every jot and tittle of it. And he came back and basically regurgitated the message he was fed without any thinking. Oh...yeah...one more thing...he reported that the situation was under control right before the civil war we started really flared up. Honestly, that guy is exactly what's wrong with US "journalism". Look up hack and there is Michael O Hanlon's picture. This guy who loves war should sign up and fight. I swear to God you guys have got to stop quoting from "think tanks" and these same military PR junkies who think because they rode in a Pave Hawk wearing a helmet that they now know the deep insides of foreign policy. One of the best military analysts? Holy Crap. That guy couldn't find Afghanistan on a map with two hands and a flashlight. Respectfully, Daniel Russ Civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com Michael O Hanlon went to Iraq and a friend of mine planned his “escort” through combat zones, and a US military PR circuit. Michael O Hanlon got the exact same scripted tour that every other W loving hack got. The same speeches, the same “this is off the record” talks the same “this is really what’s happening” talks and believed every jot and tittle of it.

And he came back and basically regurgitated the message he was fed without any thinking. Oh…yeah…one more thing…he reported that the situation was under control right before the civil war we started really flared up.

Honestly, that guy is exactly what’s wrong with US “journalism”. Look up hack and there is Michael O Hanlon’s picture. This guy who loves war should sign up and fight.

I swear to God you guys have got to stop quoting from “think tanks” and these same military PR junkies who think because they rode in a Pave Hawk wearing a helmet that they now know the deep insides of foreign policy.

One of the best military analysts? Holy Crap. That guy couldn’t find Afghanistan on a map with two hands and a flashlight.

Respectfully,

Daniel Russ
Civilianmilitaryintelligencegroup.com

]]> By: Jasonhttp://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/#comment-17263 Jason Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:53:19 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=11796#comment-17263 "Those predictions are courtesy of Michael O’Hanlon, one of the best analysts of military operations around." Really? You really want to state that in such a qualitative manner? Maybe you should go back and review his statements between 2001 and today and reflect upon them some more. Michael O'Hanlon, Foreign Affairs, Mar/Apr 02: "Operation Enduring Freedom has been, for the most part, a masterpiece of military creativity and finesse." Yes... what a fantastic military analyst to have made such a statement. And I could find many, many more idiotic statements that he's made. And it's not that he's made so many bad judgements, its the amazing way that the media keeps calling on him for bullet quotes on Middle East military matters. “Those predictions are courtesy of Michael O’Hanlon, one of the best analysts of military operations around.”

Really? You really want to state that in such a qualitative manner? Maybe you should go back and review his statements between 2001 and today and reflect upon them some more.

Michael O’Hanlon, Foreign Affairs, Mar/Apr 02: “Operation Enduring Freedom has been, for the most part, a masterpiece of military creativity and finesse.”

Yes… what a fantastic military analyst to have made such a statement. And I could find many, many more idiotic statements that he’s made. And it’s not that he’s made so many bad judgements, its the amazing way that the media keeps calling on him for bullet quotes on Middle East military matters.

]]> By: bobhttp://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/12/04/afghanistan-pullout-very-flexible/#comment-17266 bob Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:03:27 +0000 http://www.dodbuzz.com/?p=11796#comment-17266 ok then ok then

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