McChrystal: 'No silver bullets' for Afghan victory

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – The general in charge of the war in Afghanistan said Tuesday there are "no silver bullets" for success but he expects to know by this time next year whether the troop buildup is reversing the Taliban's momentum.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, appearing before the House Armed Services Committee a week after President Barack Obama announced his new surge-and-exit strategy, said he supports the plan. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, who had voiced misgivings previously, also endorsed the new approach at the Capitol Hill hearing.

The new battle strategy includes a plan to begin bringing some troops home in 18 months — a number to be determined by conditions on the ground at that time.

"Results may come more quickly," McChrystal told lawmakers. "But the sober fact is that there are no silver bullets. Ultimate success will be the cumulative effect of sustained pressure."


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091208/ap_on_go_co/us_us_afghanistan

We will be dusting off the other classics like "winning of hearts and minds" soon!

Vietnam was winnable, and lost because Americans were too squeamish at slaughtering a few million for nothing: this is the mentality that wants to win at all costs, so we don't look "weak"

Why didn't you say this before the President committed several thousand more troops and billions more dollars to "victory" in Afghanistan (whatever in hell that means this week). The timing of your testimony makes you look more like a flim-flam man than an officer and a gentleman. Did you know that?

IE, How will we know when we have won in Afghanistan??

Which, of course, we will: Has not Gen Boykin assured us that Big (Real, Idol NOT) God is on our side?

Look what He did for His (previously, by some accounts) Chosen People - Durn, now how many "a's" are in "diaspora" and "Holocaust?"

and especially without silver bullets.

History has always been a good teacher,but some students are too dense to learn.Packup and come home,too many lives have already been lost because the fat cats want to steal their resources.If you want to continue this madness,bring back the draft and let the fat cats sons and daughter put their buns in harms way.

So, I guess the answer to the question is, probably not for a long time.

Whatever happened to "Those who don't understand their history are doomed to repeat it."

A friend posited that we have been evolving physically, but soon we'll evolve spiritually. I sure hope she's right.

They're shooting depleted uranium-tipped bullets....