Senator Barack Obama declared yesterday that there is a “growing consensus” in the United States and Iraq for a timeline to withdraw American combat forces, and that the United States now urgently needs to turn its attention to Afghanistan.
“The situation in Afghanistan is perilous and urgent,” he said, calling the country the “central front in the war against terrorism.”
“We must act now to reverse a deteriorating situation,” he said.
Afghanistan ‘urgent,’ Obama says
Boston Globe, 23 July 2008
When you’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An’ go to your Gawd like a soldier.
The Young British Soldier
Rudyard Kipling, 1896
This is of course partly, though not entirely, campaignspeak – he’s given himself enough room to do just about anything when he’s Pres. And I don’t disagree entirely. But I’m not keen on the either/or framing. Iraq and Afganistan, if they are important at all are important each in their own right. What happens with US involvement in Iraq should be determined by what’s important there. Likewise with Afgahistan.
Yes, in terms of terrorism, focusing more on Afghanistan makes sense to a degree. But Iraq and what ever happens there will most likely affect the wider world a great deal more.
But as you imply, he hasn’t been seeking out the likes of Robert Fisk for advice on foreign policy. Which was a bit predictable.
Comment by Neil — July 24, 2008 @ 8:57 pm