Gates guarded in assessment of Afghan surge (Oops. Another $33 billion down the rathole.)

Gates guarded in assessment of Afghan surge
By William Matthews - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Mar 25, 2010 17:57:05 EDT

The military plans to spend $2.6 billion during the second half of 2010 to beef up Afghan security forces. How well it succeeds in that effort will be a key factor in whether U.S. forces can begin withdrawing in significant numbers in July 2011.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said U.S. strategy in Afghanistan is to “degrade” the capabilities of Taliban forces that now control much of Afghanistan and build up the capabilities of Afghan military and police forces enough to keep the Taliban in check even as U.S. forces draw down.

Gates told the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee, “I believe there are grounds for guarded optimism.” The U.S. campaign “to roll back the Taliban” is gaining momentum and the Afghan government “shows an increasing willingness to take on additional responsibilities,” he said during a hearing Thursday.

Gates said the Afghan army “has taken real strides over the last year.” But he cautioned “there will be many tough and long days ahead.”

Gates is asking for $33 billion in emergency supplemental funding, most of it, he said, to support 30,000 additional troops being sent to Afghanistan.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/03/military_gates_afghanistan_032510w/



unhappycamper comment: We have already pissed away $6 billion dollars trying to train 'policemen'. And where the fuck does PO plan to find another $33 billion? I certainly hope he doesn't put it on the credit card or just print the stuff.