July 6, 2008 -- Obama on Afghanistan

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/07/06/obama_mccain_split_over_afghan_strategy/?page=1



There should be no surprise at Obama's move to increase troops in Afghanistan. I'm not saying it's right, but it's exactly what he said he would do.

As a side note: NATO has had a force in Afghanistan of over 75,000 troops since 2001 under the command of the UN Security Council, of which the US has about 31,000 troops committed to ISAF, less than half.

Operation Enduring Freedom is also an international force, the US comprising about 60% of the troops, 40% provided by UK, Germany and other European countries, as well as several former Soviet countries, including Russia.

We are not the only country that has a military stake in Afghanistan. I would challenge those who compare Afghanistan to Vietnam to consider that the world did support Vietnam like it does the war in Afghanistan.

problem? As I recall it was the US that invaded Afghanistan not the International community.

US, UK, Canada all were part of invasion. ISAF went in December of 2001.

but as far as I can see, it is still the US that is responsible for the final outcome.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001–present)

The war was endorsed by the International community and International Forces INVADED Afghanistan.

That song is getting old and harder to sell. It stank when LBJ, Nixon, and Bush sang it, it stinks now.

I really don't think people are surprised. They're a variety of things; surprised?, not so much.

there is one post that claims they "didn't vote for this".

. . . so tell me again why he's escalating the occupation in Afghanistan? Because he said he would? That's not a reason. That's a deflection.

And Obama has already said he would do what is necessary in Pakistan to take out the leadership.