General Jones: General McChrystal's Call For More Troops Is McChrystal's "Opinion" (VIDEO)

President Obama's national security adviser Gen. James L. Jones appeared on CBS' Face The Nation Sunday and weighed in on comments made by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.

Gen. Jones stated that Gen. McChrystal's assessment that more troops are needed in Afghanistan was McChrystal's "opinion."

In a confidential report that was leaked to The Washington Post, McChyrstal stated that he needs more troops in Afghanistan, or the war "will likely result in failure." McChrystal believes that 40,000 more troops are needed in Afghanistan, according to officials.

According to The Washington Post, Jones "chided" McChyrstal during his appearance Sunday:

Jones said that advice to the president should come though the military chain of command rather than by open campaigning for a strategic decision.

"Ideally, it's better for military advice to come up through the chain of command and I think that General McChrystal and the others in the chain of command will present the president with not just one option, which does, in fact, tend to have a ... enforcing function, but a range of options that the president can consider," Jones said.

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Gen. Jones also appeared on CNN's State of the Union. The New York Times:

General Jones asserted that he does not believe Afghanistan is "imminent danger of falling" to the Taliban and that the presence of al Qaeda "is very diminished."

"The maximum estimate is less than 100 operating in the country," he said. "No bases. No buildings to launch attacks on either us or our allies."

Comments

[expired]

Gen. McNo is a Bushco crony and only in it for the money.

[expired]

Fire McKKKrystal's rd n**k @rse.

[MekhongKurt]

General Jones: I'm both surprised and disappointed in your public criticism -- and that's what it is, Sir -- of General McChrystal, especially since you're no longer on active duty while he's serving theater commander.

I realize he's Army and you're Marine Corps, but more importantly, you're both Generals. Please be more circumspect in your criticisms; they don't belong on the front page and six o'clock news.

I hesitated to write this because I have immense respect for both you and General McChyrstal, which leaves me in between a rock and a hard place.

[foxfan]

President Obama campaigned with a promise to refocus our attention to Afghanistan. Let the military do their job and do it to the best of their ability. If the President wants to screw around with the lives of our soldiers then I won't be voting for him in 2012 and I don't care who the Republican candidate will be.

[marecek]

Again, this is the type of thinking that Bush lead us into in Iraq. The military DOES NOT make policy decisions. I REPEAT. THE MILITARY DOES NOT MAKE POLICY DECISIONS. Those are made by the civilian leadership. We live in a democracy, not a junta. So this silly and simplistic plea to "let the military do their job" is way off the mark. Their job is to advise the President and then follow his decision, whether they like the decision or not. GET IT.

[MekhongKurt]

marecek, your absolutely correct. I guess people have heard military-industrial complex so long and forgotten the industrial part that they think the military operates independently of the federa government.

[foxfan]

You are absolutely right. Too bad I'm not talking about policy. If the president sets a policy to withdraw from Afghanistan then let's leave. If the president sets policy to continue the war, then let's give them the troops and equipment to do so. The president shouldn't set a policy and then put our soldies at risk by not supporting them 100%. The general in charge has asked for more troops and President Obama is going to make a military decision as to whether or not they are really needed. That is reckless at the very least.

[bumpersticker]

An insurgency against a perceived occupier changes the equation in manpower and casualties. Ho Chi Minh said, "You can kill ten of our men for every one we kill of yours. But even at those odds, you will lose and we will win."

Afghanistan and Pakistan feel increasingly like Vietnam in that who we back seem corrupt and "bought," which can make patriots out of the enemy. .

[jws2346]

You know I believe in the old saying "opinions are like rear end holes, everybody's got one" This would be amusing except it's costing the lives of our American troops. While either opinion may or may not be valid. I would think the American public would take ANY recommendations by a military career commander, with a questionable history (the Tilman debacle) with a very BIG grain of salt. Bring our troops home and then do the child like arguing and politickings favor seeking while our brave troops are safe at home. I am sympathetic to the victims of "middle Eastern" dictators and I'd truly like to improve the common persons life over there, but at the moment, the US has her own problems and we just don't have what it takes to be generous to others while sacrificing our own children future.

[Tolby]

When it comes to the military, again, I do not want attorney's or Joe Biden making decisions for our country. Biden has been wrong in every facet of Iraq and Afghanistan.

[jws2346]

I apologize if I was not clear or misunderstood. I'm a great believer in listening to the opinion of the military commanders on the ground. I believe they have the true first hand knowledge of the situation. What I was trying to point out (obviously poorly and confusingly) was was I'd be very skeptical of gambling 40,000 more American troops lives on the word of a commander that obviously couldn't keep his own troops from killing each other and then may have lied to cover it up. What ever happened with that sad point in American history (God bless the Tilmans)

[majorsja]

If Biden is the Vice President and his decisions, thoughts and opinions count for something. He is one heart beat from the President and he should be included in what happens and should have a right to give his advice to the President.

[NoMoFearNoMoHate]

At least this President isn't completely dismissing and ignoring his generals' calls for more troops etc. like the last one did.

[Lauralics]

Differing opinions are healthy, it brings out the best in the debate and gives the President the most up to date picture. Just one guy giving all the orders is dangerous, opposing opinion should be welcome. Although time should not be wasted either, addressing the direction in Afghanistan quickly is what our men and women who are over there deserve.

[Tolby]

All the top General's agree with McChrystal, including Patreaus. If the president listens to Biden and other politicians, it will surely be another failure for Pres. Obama. Attorney's making decisions regarding military tactics is a fools game. President Obama, listen to the General's on the ground for your best strategy. If you allow politics to enter the game, you will lose and it will be devastating.

[majorsja]

They agree because war is their career. It's like teachers agree that kids should go to summer school. It's not necessary but they feel it would help.

[Solja]

There's a critical debate going on right now about our role in Afghanistan. The administration and Congress need to know that regular Americans are paying close attention and that we want a clear military exit strategy.

That's why I signed a petition urging the President and Congress to lay out a plan with a military exit strategy. Will you join me at the link below?

http://pol.moveon.org/afghan_exit/?r_by=17429-9098714-zq5OBux&rc=comment_paste

Thanks!

[Tolby]

NO!!! We need to finish the mission that Pres. Obama promised! Period!

[AnotherMcIntosh]

We need your kind of patriotism in Afghanistan. Sign up.

[kickatthedarkness]

Chevron's down 7.88% YTD, General.

http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/the-gas-must-flow/

[HeimeBach]

Correct, the "opinion" of OBAMA"S HAND PICKED GENERAL ON THE GROUND!

[JiminNC]

Who reports to Obama, not the press

[JiminNC]

soon to be Obama's hand picked retired general

[raptor]

Or the Army's new Chief of Staff. It's been done before.

[Tolby]

Sure, get rid of the Generals that know what strategy is needed and bring in anothe Chicagoan.

[allwrite]

I doubt Gen McC cares about our fiscal condition as a nation. Our reality is huge deficit spending, aggravated by the costs of war making and a feeble economy that diminishes tax revenue leading to even greater deficits. Time for the Generals to get real.

[cpt b]

I was working theater logistics RIEs for Lean Six Sigma on my second 15 month tour in Iraq when a general came in to review our project's progress. He took us in the project aside and told us that we couldn't continue to fight the war the way we had been fighting it because "we are bankrupting the country." The Generals know and weighs on the decisions they make. Trust me.

[Tolby]

You are not very well informed. Credit default swaps, mortgage backed securities, greed and Fannie and Freddie ruined our economy. Research and learn before speaking.

[nofltwlt]

Oh, I don't like to hear this.

This seems to mimick the Bush administration when our then Liar in Chief said that he would listen to his military commanders and then didn't.

[JiminNC]

Didn't listen? There were times when I though Petraeus had more power than Cheney ... Bush just signed whatever he got from his generals.

[Lauralics]

I thought the same thing, nofltwlt doesn't know what they are talking about, unless they are talking about "retired" Generals that gave their opinion. Bush listened to his field commanders.

[NEWLYPOOR]

McCrystal's GUTS and some young American Soldier's BLOOD!!! Our NATO Allies see the handwriting written on the 'STUPID' wall, they wonEVER provide enough troops to really help. WHY is American Policy STILL so freaking blind? I hope Obama seriously will come up with a realistic stragedy. 'MY OPINION,' (Better than McCrystal's), If we really want to kill Bin Laden and hit Al Queda squarely..­.then WE cross the border into Pakistan with 350,000 specialized troops; seal off that ENTIRE section where Bin Laden and most of Al Queda LIVES!!! We STAY THERE until the Leaders of Al Queda are dead! What will the Pakistani Army do? Start fighting American soldiers and lose our aid, forget about India...No­! Pakistan will do nothing but complain in public but secretly ask for billions. After we take out Al Queda as best we can- We'll THEN apogize to Pakistan- give 'em Billions and they'll ER- -YOU KNOW-'reluctantly' understand and we bring our kids home. NO US TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN FOR 10 YEARS. What? BUILD THAT WASTELAND INTO A 17th century country instead allowing it to remain a 13th century country? Permit Afghanisti women who want to leave immigrate to US and leave the Taliban to the cold,dust and rocks. If and WHEN Al Queda tries to start-up again in Afghanistan, we PAID the Afghan war lords to take 'em out and keep 'em down.


Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/04/general-jones-general-mcc_n_309270.html

[Lauralics]

I totally agree with you on Pakistan! Afghanistan will be never ending without Pakistan being addressed in a BIG WAY. Enough is enough, our men and women shouldn't have to nation build for tribes that don't want it and no guarantees the infrastructure would remain standing. I wonder why our Government just doesn't come out and bluntly say to Pakistan, "you're not doing the job at your border, so we will and on your side to root out the problem".

[Tolby]

I like that plan...ver­y sound to me. Do it!!

[JiminNC]

I have a feeling that another Cheney mole will soon be RETIRED general McCrystal

[D0gb3rt]

Except that Cheney and Rumsfeld loved their version of the war, which kept the # of deployed troops at a severe minimum. If we had gone with initial suggestion of 300,000 or more troops, and not wasted time in Iraq, then this would be long over.

[Lauralics]

Oh really, more troops would have done it? Not likely, they all ran into Pakistan, so keeping 300,000 of our troops over there waiting for the Taliban to cross over is just silly. That is what they are still doing, crossing over from Pakistan, this will be never ending until Pakistan is addressed. So let's say Obama sends in a lot more troops, big deal, they are still lying in wait over the border, ready to cross over and destroy anything we built (unless of course we become policemen and occupiers for decades to come). Anyone want to be police men and border guards for Afghanistan?

[NEWLYPOOR]

McCrystal's GUTS and some young American Soldier's BLOOD!!! Our NATO Allies see the handwriting written on the 'STUPID' wall, they wonEVER provide enough troops to really help. WHY is American Policy STILL so freaking blind? I hope Obama seriously will come up with a realistic stragedy. 'MY OPINION,' (Better than McCrystal's), If we really want to kill Bin Laden and hit Al Queda squarely..­.then WE cross the border into Pakistan with 350,000 specialized troops; seal off that ENTIRE section where Bin Laden and most of Al Queda LIVES!!! We STAY THERE until the Leaders of Al Queda are dead! What will the Pakistani Army do? Start fighting American soldiers and lose our aid, forget about India...No­! Pakistan will do nothing but complain in public but secretly ask for billions. After we take out Al Queda as best we can- We'll THEN apogize to Pakistan- give 'em Billions and they'll ER- shh-YOU KNOW-shhh- 'reluctantly' understand and we bring our kids home. I DO not WANT OUR TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN FOR 10 YEARS; AND I DON'T WANT TO BUILD THAT WASTELAND INTO ... WHAT? A 17th century country instead of a 13th century country; not no, H! NO!. Permit Afghanisti women who want to leave immigrate to US and leave the Taliban to the cold,dust and rocks. If and WHEN Al Queda tries to start-up again in Afghanistan, we PAID the Afghan war lords to take 'em out and keep 'em down.

[Plebean]

What isn't being said here is, Pakistan is in the middle of a cold war with India. Pakistan can hardly afford the loss of military support from it's northern tribes who don't recognize NATO's borders.

[jaschrod]

This is the real reason this conflict is happening. We have, and are still being mislead on the basis of this war. This war is not about Al Queada, it is about the strife between Pakistan, and India. Most people do not get it.