Petraeus: Afghanistan No Worse Than Iraq

(AP)  A top-ranking American warned Congress Wednesday that the military situation in Afghanistan likely will "get harder before it gets easier."

Yet Gen. David Petraeus, who executed the Iraq surge in 2007, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Afghanistan is in no worse condition now than Iraq was when he arrived there to take command of U.S. forces two years ago.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Afghanistan

Petraeus also said the aims of the Taliban and the al Qaeda are "mutually reinforcing missions that cannot be untethered" from one another. Petraeus is commanding general of US Central Command, which has responsibility for overseeing US military activities in Central Asia - including Afghanistan and Pakistan - as well as the Middle East.

Petraeus said he believes that the new policy announced last week by President Barack Obama "will over the next 18 months enable us to make important progress."

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He said he thought the change in strategy should help "reverse the Taliban momentum" while increasing the effectiveness of the Afghan security forces, improving the safety of the Afghan people and upgrading "the Afghan governance." Petraeus said he thought all those factors would help "set the conditions" leading to a possible drawdown of U.S. forces in a year and a half.

[bubbadubba]

Two words - body bags.
Invest in companies that make body bags now before their stock goes sky high.

As for the poor ignorant.
Every single NATO country has troops in Afghanistan.
NATO troops number over 70,000 (before the additional 8,000 they will be sending) and US troops are at 29,500.
NATO has more troops in Afghanistan than the US.
You people really need to quit spewing fantasy "facts".

[Sloughfoot]

"Afghanistan No Worse Than Iraq" - That is supposed to be reassuring!

Sadam is the newly appointed Prime minister of Iraq and the Russian army has retaken Kabul, now that would be reassuring.

I really am amazed at the showing of Russia's political rethoric restraint. The U.S. armed, trained and organized the base components of the Taliban and Al Queda which now bedevel us and also the Russians.

The U.S. seems never to learn and it matters not the party in power, LBj in the Nam, Regan in Lebanon, Baby Bush in Central Asia our dual in the street at high noon philosphy fails us time and again. We, in our warped perspective see soemthing noble in walking down main street shooting up the bad guys. Our enemies laugh and weather our presence knowing that we will tire of our expenditure of personel and finaces and withdrawl to our borders.

What do we have to show for it, "Just another name on the Wall".

[stillwaters6]

Well at least McCrystal go t the numbers he requested. 40,000

30,000 from America and 10,000 from NATO...now that's more like a COALITION OF THE WILLING, don't ya think???

[stillwaters6]

well at least McCrystal got his request of 40,000 more troops. 30,000 from America and 10,000 from NATO...now that's a COALITION OF THE WILLING...what d'ya think???

[stn_sage]

Petraeus also said the aims of the Taliban and the al Qaeda are "mutually reinforcing missions that cannot be untethered" from one another.
(from article)
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This is strange! It has been reported several times in the past that while they have 'assisted' one another...basically, they operate independently of one another! Chiefly, because the Taliban are religiously focused, and Al Qaeda are politically focused! In other words, they don't trust one another's MOTIVES!

I also believe General Petraeus is possibly understating the situation in Afghanistan...just a little? This sets up McChrystal for failure if he doesn't succeed...when according to Petraeus that the situation isn't worse than in Iran! I hope he wants McChrystal to succeed!

But, there are differences! In Iran, you had a deposed regular army to enlist recruits for police and security force duties. In 'Stan, you don't have as vast a selection to choose from! In Iran, you had more willing volunteers, they needed the money. In 'Stan, they get 'poppy' money for working for warlords, they're not as needy!

There are other reasons as well! So, while General Petraeus may have been to the War College, it doesn't mean he's always right...and about everything!