Any wartime political or military leader must routinely confront the question of whether to advance, remain in place or retreat.
It is a fundamental issue of any war, whether for a soldier in a foxhole, a senior officer directing a battalion or a general directing divisions. Presidents are ultimately held accountable for such decisions.
Our president has made his decision. He has said advance, challenge the enemy, move forward to take territory and hold it — all those things needed to fight an aggressive war American style. He took his time making the decision while others, wrongfully in our view, urged him to rush ahead.
In our view, the keynote struck by the president was: “I make this decision because I am convinced that our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is the epicenter of violent extremism practiced by al-Qaida. It is from here that we were attacked on 9/11, and it is from here that new attacks are being plotted as I speak.”
The challenge before the president was to “make his case” for the announced troop increase. For those already encouraging escalation, the above statement is certainly reason enough.
We doubt any already-entrenched positions either in Congress or the American people at large were changed as a result of his speech. To us, that is disappointing. His speech turned few heads or changed many minds.
Congress will balk but will probably ultimately approve the required funds to support the president.
The president has made a difficult decision. Let the consequences be shown, as necessary, in future elections. For now, in our view, we should look to the future in Afghanistan and find ways to build unity not only there but right here at home. Unity is in the best interests of both countries.
