NeoCons Behind McChrystal 'Threats'

Source: The Nation

Will McChrystal Quit?

Yesterday morning, at a meeting of the neoconservative Foreign Policy Initiative, a former top US military officer suggested that General Stanley McChrystal might resign from his post if President Obama doesn't go along with his pending request for more troops for Afghanistan.

Brig. Gen. Mark T. Kimmitt, a former Bush administration official and Centcom officer, in answer to a question from the panel's moderator, said that he hoped that the differences between the White House and its generals didn't escalate to such a dramatic level. But, he said, if Obama doesn't give McChrystal the resources he needs, then the four-star general might quit. "Most commanders would offer their resignation" if they perceive that the commander-in-chief isn't giving them what they need, he said. In that case, McChrystal might have to say: "I'm not capable of doing it. Maybe somebody else is."

At the conclusion of the panel, I asked Kimmitt about his comments, and he emphasized that he isn't predicting that McChrystal might quit. McChrystal, he said, is presenting Obama with three choices: a maximum option, that would involve up to 40,000 more troops, a middle option, and a low option. Under all three, Kimmitt said, McChrystal believes that he can do the job. On the other hand, if he doesn't get the low option, probably something like an additional 15,000 troops, the general might consider quitting.

Needless to say, the resignation of McChrystal, who's been elevated to near-hero status by the Republican right, would be a frontal challenge to the White House. So far, in a sign that the White House isn't playing patsy for the military, the administration has resisted bringing McChrystal back to Washington to testify, Petraeus-style, before Congress. And they've downplayed the significance of McChrystal's role, saying that his input is just one of many sources that are providing information to the White House as it considers the next phase of its failing Afghanistan strategy.

At least one report today suggests that Obama might refuse to support additional forces in Afghanistan, instead relying on targeted Predator-type attacks on Al Qaeda targets in Afghanistan and Pakistan:

"President Barack Obama's strategy against al-Qaida may shift away from more troops in Afghanistan and toward more drone strikes against terrorist targets.

"As the war worsens in Afghanistan, Obama could steer away from the comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy he laid out this spring and toward a narrower focus on counterterror operations.

"Two senior administration officials said Monday that the renewed fight against al-Qaida could lead to more missile attacks on Pakistan terrorist havens by unmanned U.S. spy planes. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because no decisions have been made."

more: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/dreyfuss/475977/will_mcchrystal_quit

and sent to Iraq? Now they are concerned about troop levels in Afghanistan?

Condi Rice speaking out about Afghanistan troop levels.....

The nerve of these people is mind numbing.

I never could see them arguing against a war. I wondered how they would hit Obama politically on it. They love to politicize war. It's their specialty.

The military should have to answer for its failures. Obama should have directed the Pentagon to file a report explaining why it hasn't won the war and why after 8 years we're in this predicament? They'd either have to blame W or themselves.

The military is setting Obama up to be the fall guy for this debacle. He ought to turn the tables on them, because it really is their fault. All along the way they made some really bad judgments, decisions and recommendations. They should have to own up to these mistakes and take responsibility for them. If McChrystal can file a report on what he thinks he needs there, he can file another report explaining why the war hasn't been won and who's responsible.

Obama has allowed himself to get boxed in on this war. He has put himself in the position of being blamed for defeat if we leave or change missions or blamed if we stay and get bogged down. It's not too late, but Obama has very little time left to extract himself from this no-win situation. The Republicans have to be ecstatic that he's in this predicament. It's sickening to watch the Republicans shift the blame to Obama for something they're responsible for. Obama has to find a way to shift the blame back to them.

There is NO doubt that Darth Cheney has some moles deep in the CIA and Pentagon. And then Condi Rice shoots off her mouth for the first time, to SCREAM TERROR, TERROR, TERROR... And there's Addington, Scooter, John Yoo, Dougie 'The Psycho" Feith, Rummy, Wolfowitz, et al.

War crimes trials NOW!!!

without a clear objective? McChrystal just wants to water the sands of Afghanistan with American blood.

That's what they're taught, and they don't like to lose. If you think that they are in it for blood lust then you're sadly mistaken.

during the EIGHT years of BushCo. :(

nail they can find to keep the blood flowing.

Buh :hi: Bye

These people are not about the best interests of this nation.