White House Meeting On Afghanistan Could Be Decisive

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White House Meeting On Afghanistan Could Be Decisive
By: David Dayen Monday November 23, 2009 12:45 pm	Tweet

Tonight, most of the national security team will meet at the White House with President Obama on Afghanistan/Pakistan policy. VP Biden, SecState Clinton, SecDef Gates, NSA James Jones, UN Ambassador Susan Rice, Af/Pak envoy Richard Holbrooke, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen, General Petraeus, the “war czar” Douglas Lute (appointed by George W. Bush, incidentally), and a variety of deputy advisors will be on hand. In addition, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry and US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson will join the meeting by videoconference.

I think you have to expect that this meeting will result in a decision on the war strategy going forward. Most reports show that the White House will announce a strategy the week after Thanksgiving, and many members of the Administration are leaving Washington tonight or tomorrow. So this looks to be the last chance to discuss matters before next week, and all the crucial players will be in the room.

Barack Obama said when there was still the possibility of a runoff election that he could make the decision but not announce it until later. I think this could be the day of decision.

1 Comment

One Response to “White House Meeting On Afghanistan Could Be Decisive”

Arbusto November 23rd, 2009 at 2:55 pm

With Obama alternately channeling Herbie Hoover and Neville Chamberlain and at all costs being pragmatic, I’d expect a “modest” troop increase. Just enough of a change to piss everyone off and with long term effects of losing more treasure and life while accomplishing nothing except more distrust of US intentions in the region.