June 24, 2010
Statement on President Obama Relieving General McChrystal of his Duties in Afghanistan
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
President Obama has relieved General Stanley McChrystal of his duties as commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan for comments by him, and members of his security team, reported in a Rolling Stone magazine article.
McChrystal’s departure may, indeed, satisfy any number of people from all sides of the political spectrum who feel that General McChrystal’s comments were inappropriate and detrimental to the military mission in Afghanistan.
Appointing General Petraeus as commander on the ground may also please many people, giving them renewed confidence in U.S. presence in Afghanistan. But underlying issues surrounding U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, and the counterinsurgency (COIN) tactics, will not be addressed by McChrystal’s departure.
“This war in Afghanistan,” said the Reverend Jim Lewis, “has resulted in 1,132 American deaths since 2,001, not to mention NATO troop deaths and countless numbers of Afghan soldiers and civilians.”
Today, while McChrystal was being relieved of duty, two U.S. soldiers were killed, and more than a dozen bystanders injured, by a suicide bomber.
“The COIN policy commits our nation to a long-term military presence in Afghanistan,” said Lewis, “a policy that will only create more death and destruction, without advancing security here, there or anywhere around the world. It is time for President Obama, as Commander-in-Chief, to bring our troops home from Afghanistan.”
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
Statement on President Obama Relieving General McChrystal of his Duties in Afghanistan
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
President Obama has relieved General Stanley McChrystal of his duties as commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan for comments by him, and members of his security team, reported in a Rolling Stone magazine article.
McChrystal’s departure may, indeed, satisfy any number of people from all sides of the political spectrum who feel that General McChrystal’s comments were inappropriate and detrimental to the military mission in Afghanistan.
Appointing General Petraeus as commander on the ground may also please many people, giving them renewed confidence in U.S. presence in Afghanistan. But underlying issues surrounding U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, and the counterinsurgency (COIN) tactics, will not be addressed by McChrystal’s departure.
“This war in Afghanistan,” said the Reverend Jim Lewis, “has resulted in 1,132 American deaths since 2,001, not to mention NATO troop deaths and countless numbers of Afghan soldiers and civilians.”
Today, while McChrystal was being relieved of duty, two U.S. soldiers were killed, and more than a dozen bystanders injured, by a suicide bomber.
“The COIN policy commits our nation to a long-term military presence in Afghanistan,” said Lewis, “a policy that will only create more death and destruction, without advancing security here, there or anywhere around the world. It is time for President Obama, as Commander-in-Chief, to bring our troops home from Afghanistan.”
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
