Obama on Afghanistan Deal - The War in Afghanistan

The White House: Statement by President Obama on the US - Afghan Deal to keep US troops in Afghanistan after this year, the President states, " Today we mark an historic day in the U.S.-Afghan partnership that will help advance our shared interests and the long-term security of Afghanistan. After nearly two years of hard work by negotiating teams on both sides, earlier today in Kabul the United States and the new Afghan Government of National Unity signed a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA). This agreement represents an invitation from the Afghan Government to strengthen the relationship we have built over the past 13 years and provides our military service members the necessary legal framework to carry out two critical missions after 2014: targeting the remnants of Al Qaeda and training, advising, and assisting Afghan National Security Forces. The signing of the BSA also reflects the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Agreement our two governments signed in May 2012.

Today, Afghan and NATO officials also signed the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, giving forces from Allied and partner countries the legal protections necessary to carry out the NATO Resolute Support mission when ISAF comes to an end later this year.

These agreements follow an historic Afghan election in which the Afghan people exercised their right to vote and ushered in the first peaceful democratic transfer of power in their nation’s history. The BSA reflects our continued commitment to support the new Afghan Unity Government, and we look forward to working with this new government to cement an enduring partnership that strengthens Afghan sovereignty, stability, unity, and prosperity, and that contributes to our shared goal of defeating Al Qaeda and its extremist affiliates.

This day was only possible because of the extraordinary service of our men and woman in uniform who continue to sacrifice  so much in Afghanistan on behalf of our security and the Afghan people. The American people are eternally grateful for their efforts. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus a deal between the US and Afghanistan, will it work? When it comes to Afghanistan history it does not bode well, at least President Obama is trying and not making the same mistake as he did with Iraq, lets see what happens, it might work, but not holding my breath. Some things such as peace is not a word you would associate with Afghanistan.  Poor Afghanistan. 

The Blame Game Part 2 - The New War on Terror

The New York Times: Reports the backlash from US intelligence on the blame placed on them by POTUS for the rise of IS and how it caught out the Oval Office, the article notes the following, " ..the reports, they said, generated little attention in a White House consumed with multiple brush fires and reluctant to be drawn back into Iraq.  "

Lets Get Real:

The Obama Administration is political terms is on the way OUT, those that live in Washington D.C are looking forward to 2016 Presidential Election, thus the Foreign Elite are covering their backsides against the charge they dropped the ball when it comes to Iraq and Syria.   As noted in this blog and by others the President seems to be out of the loop when it comes to crisis points in his Administration.  One can argue that POTUS makes Reagan look like a micro manager of his administration and that includes Iran - Contra.   The US voter likes it when a President takes the blame, Kennedy for the Bay of Pigs and Reagan for Iran - Contra, this makes them like everyone else, they make mistakes.   For what ever reason the Obama ego can not do this, or has never had that ability, when people say your great all the time, it must go to your head.   Thus Obama passes the buck and it is thrown right back at him, who is telling the truth, time for Congress to investigate. 

IS and Baghdad - The New War on Terror

Telegraph: Reports " Isil gunmen were reported to be six miles away from some points of Baghdad, and were holding their ground at a front line on the major northern highway to Fallujah in Iraq. "

Lets Get Real:

If IS can take part of Baghdad or control Baghdad this would force the West to take action on the ground, it would be a humilation for President Obama if after ordering air strikes they failed to push IS back and even showed they could take the strikes and still get a foothold in Baghdad.  One has to assume that US and UK Special Forces are on the ground to make sure the Iraqi Army or what is left of it and trying to hit IS before they make any more gains. The very fact that IS is so close is a major worry, also the fact that the RAF has not dropped any bombs, what was the House of Commons recall for, can't they blow something up, and fast, the public when supporting action want action, they want to support the RAF in doing its job.  This is a war that the West can not afford to lose. 

The Blame Game when it comes to IS, ISIS, ISIL - The New War on Terror

The Daily Mail: Reports " President Barack Obama's intelligence briefings have provided him with specific information since before he won re-election in 2012 about the growing threat of the terror group now known alternatively as ISIS and ISIL, an administration insider told MailOnline on Monday. "

Lets Get Real:

As this blog predicted there would be leaks against the Oval spin that President Obama has been let down by US Intelligence, it was not a failure of intelligence, it was a failure of one man, that man is President Obama.   The President was more interested in winning re-election than telling the truth to the voter.   At its essence Al Qaeda and its franchise is still about, in fact IS, ISIS, ISIL has gone one better than Al Qaeda of 9/11, it has declared itself a State.   The very fact that the West is back in Iraq and bombing Iraq and Syria shows that the Obama message was ALL spin.   The question now is when US and Western troops will go back in to Iraq, if Baghdad comes under serious threat the Oval will have no choice, it would have to have boots on the ground.   While the Oval is fighting a War the political war will go on, no one wants the blame of IS, thus expect more leaks and public fighting. 

US and Afghan Deal - Afghanistan War

BBC News: Reports " The new Afghan government has signed a security deal with American officials that will allow US troops to remain in the country beyond this year. "

Lets Get Real:

On the one hand this a good deal, it keeps a US presence in Afghanistan should the Taliban and Al Qaeda try to move on the Capital of Kabul.    On the other its a major mistake by the US and its allies, the Taliban and Al Qaeda will not step up their attacks on Western forces, they need the constant PR that they are fighting another invader.   The US Force is so small that should the Taliban go for a major offensive the Pentagon will have to send in extra troops.    At the least the UK is OUT, the UK done Afghanistan to many times, we have tried it all,  in the end the UK left and kept Imperial Planes in NOW Pakistan to bomb suspected threats, the grandfather of drones.    Once all Western Forces leave the natives will be back to having their civil war, Afghanistan is about endless repeats of history.