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Endless War: Obama Secretly Extends US War on Afghanistan
Obama allowed the military to dictate the terms of the endgame in Afghanistan
Nov 22, 2014
Last May 27, in an announcement in the White House Rose Garden, President Obama said:
"2014, therefore, is a pivotal year. Together with our allies and the Afghan government, we have agreed that this is the year we will conclude our combat mission in Afghanistan... America's combat mission will be over by the end of this year. Starting next year, Afghans will be fully responsible for securing their country. American personnel will be in an advisory role. We will no longer patrol Afghan cities or towns, mountains or valleys. That is a task for the Afghan people."
Never mind.
The president has now quietly authorized an expanded role for the U.S. military in Afghanistan.
The New York Times reported last night that Obama's decision is the result of "a lengthy and heated debate" between the promise Mr. Obama made to end the war in Afghanistan, versus the demands of the Pentagon.
The Pentagon won. An official told the Times that "the military pretty much got what it wanted."
Obama has also given the war in Afghanistan a new name: Operation Resolute Support.
Obama's secret decision will keep American troops on the ground and fighting for at least another year and the US will continue using F-16 fighter jets, Predator and Reaper drones, and B-1 bombers.
Opposite of public statements, Obama secretly extends US combat mission in Afghanistan through 2015 https://t.co/fRMm4Vyp2V
-- Peter Van Buren (@WeMeantWell) November 22, 2014
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Last May 27, in an announcement in the White House Rose Garden, President Obama said:
"2014, therefore, is a pivotal year. Together with our allies and the Afghan government, we have agreed that this is the year we will conclude our combat mission in Afghanistan... America's combat mission will be over by the end of this year. Starting next year, Afghans will be fully responsible for securing their country. American personnel will be in an advisory role. We will no longer patrol Afghan cities or towns, mountains or valleys. That is a task for the Afghan people."
Never mind.
The president has now quietly authorized an expanded role for the U.S. military in Afghanistan.
The New York Times reported last night that Obama's decision is the result of "a lengthy and heated debate" between the promise Mr. Obama made to end the war in Afghanistan, versus the demands of the Pentagon.
The Pentagon won. An official told the Times that "the military pretty much got what it wanted."
Obama has also given the war in Afghanistan a new name: Operation Resolute Support.
Obama's secret decision will keep American troops on the ground and fighting for at least another year and the US will continue using F-16 fighter jets, Predator and Reaper drones, and B-1 bombers.
Opposite of public statements, Obama secretly extends US combat mission in Afghanistan through 2015 https://t.co/fRMm4Vyp2V
-- Peter Van Buren (@WeMeantWell) November 22, 2014
Last May 27, in an announcement in the White House Rose Garden, President Obama said:
"2014, therefore, is a pivotal year. Together with our allies and the Afghan government, we have agreed that this is the year we will conclude our combat mission in Afghanistan... America's combat mission will be over by the end of this year. Starting next year, Afghans will be fully responsible for securing their country. American personnel will be in an advisory role. We will no longer patrol Afghan cities or towns, mountains or valleys. That is a task for the Afghan people."
Never mind.
The president has now quietly authorized an expanded role for the U.S. military in Afghanistan.
The New York Times reported last night that Obama's decision is the result of "a lengthy and heated debate" between the promise Mr. Obama made to end the war in Afghanistan, versus the demands of the Pentagon.
The Pentagon won. An official told the Times that "the military pretty much got what it wanted."
Obama has also given the war in Afghanistan a new name: Operation Resolute Support.
Obama's secret decision will keep American troops on the ground and fighting for at least another year and the US will continue using F-16 fighter jets, Predator and Reaper drones, and B-1 bombers.
Opposite of public statements, Obama secretly extends US combat mission in Afghanistan through 2015 https://t.co/fRMm4Vyp2V
-- Peter Van Buren (@WeMeantWell) November 22, 2014
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