Kerry Opposes Afghanistan Troop Pullout

(AP)  Sen. John Kerry warns that a major U.S. troop pullout could trigger civil war in Afghanistan, and a small-scale counterterror campaign is not an alternative to the broader U.S.-led military operation already under way.

Kerry's position would appear to rebut anti-war Democrats and others who question calls to deepen the U.S. stake in the 8-year-old war. But the Democratic senator also would not endorse a major military increase as advocated by the commanding U.S. general in Afghanistan. Kerry says General Stanley McChrystal's plan goes too far, too fast.

Kerry also told the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday that anything that looks like backpedaling by the United States also destabilize would Pakistan, Afghanistan's neighbor.

Kerry is just back from the two countries.

[rafaeldrc]

I believe the area was destabilized when we overthrew the Taliban and Sadddam. The area will go through its own near term purge (civil war) with or without the blessing of the USA. The governments we installed probably will not survive. My guess is the the Bath party will arise and the Taliban will come to power again. Both of these factions may look distasteful to the American public and to our political system but they are more representative of the people that live in the region. American democracy was rammed down their throats and has left the taste of infectious foreign control and corruption in minds of the locals.

Our best bet is to work with the Taliban to corner and capture Al-Queda then leave with haste. If we are going to try to rebuild those countries, it must be done by a civilian core - not military.

I think Kerry is an old soldier at heart and holding-the-line is part of his thinking. That sort of mentality has gotten the USA in trouble before, but again, we cannot prevent a readjustment of power, namely, civil wars in the region.

I speculate that what is happening is: The Obama Administration is trying to formulate an exit strategy along with a comprehensive plan to sustain the present government but with an end in sight (and a drop-dead date).

This planning is something Bush and Cheney never though about throughout their seven years of war. Had the Bush Administration thought about it, it would have taken as long (or more) to formulate. For Bush, rushing in was easy, getting out was the problem.

Obama's inheritance.

[decotoguy]

Again,we have the,"Save the world"speech.Oh yes,if America does-not stop the enemy there,the enemy will be at our front door.
The Military-Industrial Complex has persuaded every polilician to
beleive WAR is the only answer to save every women,child and of course religious freedom.Mean'while the MUSH FOR BRAINS AMERICANS are MESMERIZED
and convinced there is NO turning back.It will make America appear weak,and cowardly..
MY take on this whole thing"WAR IS THE RESULT OF PLANETARY INFLUENCES".
I was in Vietnam 40 years ago,that WAR signify literality nothing.
Do you remember Vietnam? What did I kill for?

[bubbadubba]

Why am I thinking Herman Munster?

[bubbadubba]

Like I care if Afghanistan has a civil war.
I wonder how much money he got in Afghanistan from lobbyists to keep us there?
Every country has a civil war, even the US.
Kerry, shut up and take off that Frankenstein Halloween mask.

[rplat]

Ah yes, Kerry, the junior naval officer who spent 4 short months in Vietnam is suddenly an advisor to generals. This guy has done nothing except protest a war, betray his comrades-in-arms, marry rich women and hobnob around Washington. The Republic is in serious trouble.

[nh89vette]

We are seeing shades of Vietnam. The politicians are telling the Generals how to run a war. The result is going to the same; the USA WILL LOSE and many more americans will die needlessly.

[stn_sage]

It sounds like to me...that Kerry DOESN'T know WHAT should be done!

He doesn't want to pull out, but he doesn't want to put in the additional troops, either! His quandary appears to be based on the politics involved.

His assertion that they'll go to civil war if we leave, and therefore we shouldn't...IS IRRELEVANT!

The point is: that country is usually in a state of conflict and war, if not with external forces, then from within!

And, what would be SO wrong with that?!! THEY should be fighting the Taliban and kicking them out, anyway...it's THEIR country! And they would be IF we weren't there!

I could care less what this 'secret society' illuminist has to say!

I think it's TIME TO GET OUT, NOW!

[sdemaggie]

So what if Afghanistan spirals into a civil war. The Afghans have the right to self determination. We need to get outta Bush's quagmire.

[Questionews]

Lurch had better get back to the Adams house.
Gomez & Morticia are not paying him to give his political opinions on their dime.

[inketolstoy]

"anything that looks like backpedaling by the United States also destabilize would Pakistan, Afghanistan's neighbor."

Is Yoda writing for CBS now?