Afghan Leaks = Pentagon Papers ?

BBC News: Reports on the leak of ninety thousand military secret documents to the press by the Wikileaks website. One can only postulate that President Obama will understand how Richard Nixon felt with the release of the Pentagon Papers in the early 1970s. On one level Nixon has had is easier, the Pentagon Papers did not cover his Administration, the new leaks cover 2004 - 2010, the first year of the Obama Administration. The Obama Administration has issued a statement by the Obama’s National Security Advisor General James Jones, the General states the following on the leak “ The United States strongly condemns the disclosure of classified information by individuals and organizations which could put the lives of Americans and our partners at risk, and threaten our national security. Wikileaks made no effort to contact us about these documents – the United States government learned from news organizations that these documents would be posted. These irresponsible leaks will not impact our ongoing commitment to deepen our partnerships with Afghanistan and Pakistan; to defeat our common enemies; and to support the aspirations of the Afghan and Pakistani people. ” Nixon would be proud above the comments, in the fact the Nixon White House could have written the above comments. The Obama Administration is keeping both feet in Afghanistan, General Jones on Obama Afghan policy “ President Obama announced a new strategy with a substantial increase in resources for Afghanistan, and increased focus on al Qaeda and Taliban safe-havens in Pakistan, precisely because of the grave situation that had developed over several years. This shift in strategy addressed challenges in Afghanistan that were the subject of an exhaustive policy review last fall. We know that serious challenges lie ahead, but if Afghanistan is permitted to slide backwards, we will again face a threat from violent extremist groups like al Qaeda who will have more space to plot and train. That is why we are now focused on breaking the Taliban’s momentum and building Afghan capacity so that the Afghan government can begin to assume responsibility for its future. The United States remains committed to a strong, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan. ” The more Obama is tied to his Afghan policy the harder it will be to take troops out of Afghanistan in 2011, all his remarks and the remarks of his Administration would be thrown in his face if he starts to withdraw in 2011. The Obama policy to Afghanistan is tied to the security of Pakistan, here is General Jones on Afghanistan and Pakistan, “ Since 2009, the United States and Pakistan have deepened our important bilateral partnership. Counter-terrorism cooperation has led to significant blows against al Qaeda’s leadership. The Pakistani military has gone on the offensive in Swat and South Waziristan, at great cost to the Pakistani military and people. The United States and Pakistan have also commenced a Strategic Dialogue, which has expanded cooperation on issues ranging from security to economic development. Pakistan and Afghanistan have also improved their bilateral ties, most recently through the completion of a Transit-Trade Agreement. Yet the Pakistani government – and Pakistan’s military and intelligence services – must continue their strategic shift against insurgent groups. The balance must shift decisively against al Qaeda and its extremist allies. U.S. support for Pakistan will continue to be focused on building Pakistani capacity to root out violent extremist groups, while supporting the aspirations of the Pakistani people. ”. As Pakistan is a nuclear armed power it cant be allowed to fall to the Taliban of Pakistan, thus the US is stuck in Afghanistan as it secures Pakistan, years to go folks.