Let's see if I get this straight. We have to surge in AFGHANISTAN to keep the nukes in PAKISTAN

[rateyes]

out of the hands of Al-Qaeda in Pakistan? :wtf:

Why won't our "friends" in Pakistan allow us to to surge in Pakistan---where the ENEMY IS?

Something doesn't compute.

On edit: I did hear the President play that "nukes" card as justification for the escalation in Afghanistan. Did I not? Sounds a lot like "mushroom cloud" talk to me.

[polichick]

1. Tweety pointed out that it's a pretty indirect agenda. nt

[rateyes]

2. Indirect?

It's bassackwards.

[polichick]

4. It's pretty crazy alright. nt

[xchrom]

3. the reasoning their giving certainly doesn't compute.

pakistan is more than able to deal with it's internal problems.
i understand war is sometimes necessary -- but can we at least be real about what's in front of us?

it's our blood and treasure after all.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rateyes]

6. I don't need to google it.

Glad Pakistan is doing something about it. I'm talking a SURGE in AMERICAN TROOPS, and where that's taking place----effing moron.

[Fire1]

7. I don't want somebody playing the wait and see game and

anybody with any sense wouldn't put it past those zealots.

[OHdem10]

8. Common Sense tells you Obama is correct. I may not like it but

I have lived long enough to understand that what I believe
and feel does not negate the fact that the President may be
right.

During the campaign, I understood that extracting troops from
a country is not an easy matter. I also have known for years
that many Democrats have signed on to the PNAC Foreign Policy.
I do appreciate the fact that after Vietnam no leader in this
country is going to permit our Military to come home with a
feeling of failure. It is not going to happen. Vietnam was
a gutwrench for this country and no one --even if we had a
President who was Liberal through and through. I never expected
Obama to do anything but what he is doing. I got this feeling
during the campaign.

We made promises to the Afghanis that we would not once again
leave them in the lurch as we did "Charlie Wilson's War".
Our country's reputation was on the line.

Since he was courageous enough to stand up to the right and
set a time line and benchmarks, I am willing to hang with him.
Frankly I thought his speech was perfect. He knew the country
is war weary. He knew a realistic firm approach would be
credible. Some soaring speech would have made him totally
out of touch with average Americans.

I am amazed that our educated media cannot understand the double
play.

The Taliban and Al Qeda are related, connected, work together.
Our troops do a push back on Taliban so they do not gain control
of the country once again giving Al Qeda a refuge and training
ground. While this is going on, Pakis are routing the AlQeda
out of their country. Wazirastan(sp?) is a no-man's land, Chris.
It is dangerous for person from either country to enter.
Filled with criminal types and lawlessness, they do protect
AlQeda. Bi Laden once paid them off very well. If the Taliban
are not busy fighting in Afghanistan, they would be free to
cross over and help AlQeda in Pakinstan. Concentrated fighting
on both sides of the border focuses the energy.

Am I happy we are going to be there longer? NO, but I am
willing to give the President a chance.

This does not change my mind about that terrible HIR Bill.

[Fire1]

9. Exactly. It was sobering and on point. n/t

[Clio the Leo]

10. "The Pakistani Army has waged an offensive in Swat and South Waziristan..."

In the past, there have been those in Pakistan who have argued that the struggle against extremism is not their fight, and that Pakistan is better off doing little or seeking accommodation with those who use violence. But in recent years, as innocents have been killed from Karachi to Islamabad, it has become clear that it is the Pakistani people who are the most endangered by extremism. Public opinion has turned. The Pakistani Army has waged an offensive in Swat and South Waziristan. And there is no doubt that the United States and Pakistan share a common enemy.

In the past, we too often defined our relationship with Pakistan narrowly. Those days are over. Moving forward, we are committed to a partnership with Pakistan that is built on a foundation of mutual interests, mutual respect, and mutual trust. We will strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to target those groups that threaten our countries, and have made it clear that we cannot tolerate a safe-haven for terrorists whose location is known, and whose intentions are clear.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/12/obama-speech-text-afghanistan.html

The goal is to prevent al qaed from having a place to flee from fighting with Pakistan.