Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Gates on Afghanistan and Iraq

The New York Times: Reports on the remarks of Robert Gates; Defense Secretary for Bush 43 and now President Obama; in the remarks to Congress, the Defense Secretary stated in so many words that in Afghanistan the aim of the Administration was to hold the line, while the USA would be in Iraq for years, not that new from Bush 43 on the whole, the Liberal New York Times will not be happy. As to Iraq the comments of the Secretary Defense does not sound like the USA is getting out in sixteen months, the Secretary stated that the USA would be in Iraq for years. These are realistic aims, Iraq can turn in to win - win for President Obama, he would have Muslim friend in the Middle East, this would worry Iran, the second win. Also a Democratic regime in Iraq would show the Middle East that it is possible to have a Democracy in the region. This would tip the hat to Bush 43. Also if Iraq goes well in four years time Iraq could be a strong positive for Obama when going in to re - election, it was a negative for the Republican Party. Also it would show that in some aspects that Obama is a hawk. As to Afghanistan, the aims of the Administration seem realistic but the surge policy has to be looked at in more depth, will a surge work in Afghanistan, can the USA take more body bags from Afghanistan, does Obama want Afghanistan to define his Presidency as Iraq defined the Bush Presidency.

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