Military Chief: US Doesn't Have Enough Troops To Send To Afghanistan

From The Washington Post:

The nation's top military officer said yesterday that more U.S. troops are needed in Afghanistan to tamp down an increasingly violent insurgency, but that the Pentagon does not have sufficient forces to send because they are committed to the war in Iraq.

Watch the video:

Comments

[darthdarcy]

Yes I saw that live yesterday on C-Span...

Having family who have had to serve two tours of duty in Afghanistan as well as two in Iraq as well since 9/11 a fairly high ranking officer, I have some inside insight and he was really disappointed as to how ill served and under supplied and out numbered our forces are in Afghanistan our troops there feel largely forgotten and dumped there and they take a beating regular attacks against often ridiculous odds often out numbered by many and frequently lucky they survive an encounter against the Taliban or al-Qaeda forces who are well supplied and better and better trained thanks to the Pakistani ISI assistance­..they get...

Bush and the Republicans have seriously weakened America's military..­and thus national security..

How can this be the military that would have fought the entire Soviet/Eastern block..?

How could we fight a world war on two fronts as we did in WWII..?

Also don't think any of this talk by Admiral Mullen doesn't mean Bush isn't gonna attack Iran...any­way...

[Kirby]

This is the big question: will he do it right after the election, or will he not do it out of domestic political considerations and how history will sooner or later deal with him ? And, if he doesn't do it, following Israeli pressure to do it, will he not, at least, give the thumbs up and green light to Israel to do it - regardless of what we Americans will have to bear as the awful consequences. In any event, Israel will have its way, and Iran will be attdacked.

[darthdarcy]

I think myself internal political considerations here in the U.S. will be a big factor in Bush deciding if he hasn't already to attack Iran...bel­ieving it will aid the Republicans chances in the coming election..

[BBackSoon]

You know before the coup is complete you have to destroy the military or at least own it.

[tyrodin]

The neo-cons figure we could fight the entire world by borrowing the money from China.

[tyrodin]

Is it a surprise to any intelligent American that Bush thoroughly screwed this up? The neo-cons haven't evolved enough to produce intelligent independent thought. At this point they can only mimic. Ha ha we all have to understand that they have only been on earth for 5000 years and they were made of mud. The rest of the thinking population has been here for around 300,000 years as a species and HAVE developed the capacity for critical thinking. Fortunately neo-cons comprise only about 25% of the American population.

[scouserinlondon]

5000 years and made of mud?WHAT??????I have not heard this one....Is it an American ""in"" joke.Could someone put me straight on this because I am sitting over here with a BIG question mark over my head going "DUH"
PLEASE someone,help me out here.Thank You.

[glaze]

Hey Scouserinlondon-
Fair to say that Tyrodin is probably referring to the fundamentalist beliefs that God made Adam from clay/mud and the world is about 5000-6000 years old. This was figured out by some devout lout from like the 15th century who actually pinned it down to a specific day, date and time of day. I seem to remember he claimed it was in October.
So unfortunately it is not an American 'in' joke- it's a pretty universal joke.
And thanks for the kind words about my Vonnegutian idea. Remember, I get "from an idea by" credit when you publish. And be careful with those candy bars!

[AmericanSinceFeb08]

Overextended yourself, huh? Commander in chief know your game !!!

[jdenham]

You would think that all the brave Republicans will be rushing down to the recuitment office to sign up. Oh thats right they are too busy to fight for their country. While troops supress a civil war in Iraq we are allowing Al Queda and the Taliban to build a stronghold in Afganistan and Pakistan. Bush is leaving this mess for the next guy. Sooner or later we will have to pay the price.

[Kirby]

Whether you realize it or not, you are paying for it, partly, each time you buy a gallon of bush at your favorite gasoline store.

[LORISNJ]

And the next news cycle will have this story: Military Chief retires. Followup story: New military chief says troops will be ready, willing, and able to go to Afghanistan.

[SadVoter]

We are so screwed. This is heartbreaking.

[nyboomer]

I feel so safe because the GOP's finest thieves are in charge of this nation's security. What a relief to know that Dick Cheney is hiding out somewhere worrying about America's safety and keeping GW Bush on a short leash.

Wish we could re-elect the miserable sods.

[mindlessmissy]

Did anyone say DRAFT ..... ?

[MarkieBee]

I did

[dukeman]

Another headline today is about six months straight of job losses. Is this Bush's idea of a recruitment drive for the army?

[NWGuy]

So if we don't have enough troops to handle the initial war in Afghanistan due to the 2nd war in Iraq, where are the troops needed to invade Iran going to come from? Boy, is Bush going to be unhappy about that! So, what do you think he'll do now?

[hkochii]

This is exactly what nuclear weapons were invented for. He has said all options are on the table.

[scouserinlondon]

Yes,but drop one of those and you would not be able to get near the oil fields for dust.... radio-active dust. Do not think his oil chums will allow that.

[dlarocca]

can we change the name of the Rick Santorum Brigade to the "Man on Dog Rick Santorum Brigade"???? please

[wkitwizard]

BRING BACK THE DRAFT! Then you'll see thousands of "brave" chickenhawks out in the streets, protesting this awful Iraq-nam war.

[steamboat]

We will when we leave Iraq......­.Then those soldiers can go to Afghanistan, which is where the bulk of the miltary should have been......­..Besides, PREDICTION: Because of the state of the world and the realities, next president (regardless of who) will have to 'bring back the draft'.

[CharlieMarlowe]

Have you seen this?

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/02/07/nato-defence.html?ref=rss

[GnitenGoodLk]

Good article. Thanks.

[Heavenhelpusall]

This is what Obama said would happen. We would take "our resources away from Afghanistan". Take a break from your FISA outrage and say a prayer for our soldiers.

Arianna et al, this is what we should be focusing on. How do we get our fellow Americans out of harms way? Stop the whining, people are sacrificing their lives while we get miffed that our candidate is trying to win so he can bring them home.

Lets stop talking about war in the singular term. We are a country at WARS.

[hkochii]

and don't forget the 30 plus year old war against drugs we are spending billions on and loosing