Obama Nat. Security Pick Gen. Jones on Afghanistan: More Troops Alone Just Prolongs Problem

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In his first interview since becoming Barack Obama’s national security adviser, retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones tells Neil King of the Wall Street Journal that more troops alone can’t be the solution in Afghanistan: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122826754140374595.html

WASHINGTON -- James Jones, President-elect Barack Obama's new national security adviser, said a U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan will work only if other changes take hold there, including a strengthening of the judiciary and national police force.

In an interview Tuesday, the retired Marine Corps general said Mr. Obama's campaign pledge to move as many as 10,000 U.S. troops from Iraq to Afghanistan must mesh with a concentrated international effort to bolster government and eradicate the vast heroin trade.

"You can always put more troops into Afghanistan," he said. "But if that's all you do, you will just be prolonging the problem."

Gen. Jones put much of the blame for Afghanistan's deepening woes on NATO's military effort that he said "has let too many things slip through the cracks."


WSJ's Neil King talked with James Jones, Obama's new national security adviser. Read some excerpts from their interview: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122825633090073651.html

[Captain Hilts]

1. He's an interesting guy.

And, again, the Marines went to Iraq kicking and screaming. As did the Army.

[bigtree]

2. he's certainly interesting

The Marines may well have been 'kicking and screaming'. But, I'm still not convinced that these military men share Democratic values and views about our defense priorities. They'll have to prove it.

[Winterblues]

4. Usually, though not always of course those that have experienced Warfare

don't like it and will do what they can to prevent more.. I hope this holds true for this guy..

[pinto]

3. Kick n/t