Political and Social Thought to the Left of College Station

Obama’s War: Choosing Escalation and Occupation

It was not like the other speeches. It was not a speech that I looked forward to hearing. It was not a speech that when it ended I wanted to hear it again. It was a speech that I did not want to hear in the first place. It was a speech that should have been different. Last night President Obama gave a speech announcing a new strategy in Afghanistan, which translates to deploying 30,000 more American service members to the war torn country.

“We did not ask for this fight.”

However, this is no longer the same fight. President Obama reminded the country of the initial reason that we invaded Afghanistan: a military response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. But instead of declaring war on the terrorist who committed the attacks former President Bush declared war on an idea. When President Obama was inaugurated he inherited a war that was no longer based on a clear mission or idea. It was a fight that we may have not asked for, but it was a fight that we asked to continue.

“Under the banner of this domestic unity and international legitimacy…we sent our troops into Afghanistan.”

War in Afghanistan is no longer being fought underneath a banner of domestic unity. According to a recent Gallup poll, while most Americans still believe that the initial invasion of Afghanistan was not a mistake; the views on the current situation are decidedly diverse. When asked about whether or not the United States should increase troop levels by the initial 40,000 requested by General McChrystal or decrease troops levels, 37% of those surveyed supported the increase in troop levels while 39% supported the decrease in troop levels. While the election of President Obama may have increased the world view America’s international legitimacy, the support of the international community may soon start to diminish.

During his speech President Obama described the precarious situation in Afghanistan, but the situation is only going to be exacerbated by a continued American military presence. Make no mistake, the military is being asked to build a nation. At the enormous cost of American lives and treasure, the military is being asked to build a nation out of a country of clans and villages, and asking a people who have only known war for a generation that we will be different than the other occupying forces.

“The review has allowed me ask the hard questions and to explore all of the different options.”

But did President Obama ask the hardest question: If the American military does not leave now, then how does this end? The President probably asked this question, and the response was probably that no one knows how it ends. If you do not know how this war ends later, then you should end this war now. That is the most important option that I fear was never on the table, and it is probably the most important option that was never considered.

“This is the epicenter of the violent extremism practiced by al-Qaeda.”

The President spoke about the number of terrorist that are recruited and trained in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and that attacks are being planned there. However, terrorist are recruited and trained throughout the world, and the terrorist attacks on western countries where planned throughout the world. The root of terrorism cannot be fought with soldiers and tanks, but with construction workers and bulldozers. Foreign aid, not foreign invasion, is the best weapon against terrorism.

When I voted for President Obama I voted for a President that would end, rather than extended, two wars.