Progress in Afghanistan
The recently released annual status review of the mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan reveals our armed forces have achieved significant gains during the past 12 months. Although Americans can always depend on the skill and courage of our troops, whether they would receive the political support necessary for success in Afghanistan remained an open question this time last year. Prior to the unveiling of President Obama's Afghanistan strategy in December 2009, it was unclear whether the new president would demonstrate the commitment necessary to complete the mission.
President Obama's decision last December to commit an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan was welcome news, but it was undercut by his announcement that withdrawal of combat forces would begin in July 2011. Telegraphing our strategy in this way greatly jeopardizes our chances of success. It encourages our al Qaeda and Taliban enemies and gives them an incentive to run out the clock and keep fighting. Timelines also stifle cooperation among our Afghan allies, who justifiably fear for their safety should they support our mission only to find themselves unprotected should the murderous Taliban regime return to power.
We certainly want our troops to come home and be reunited with their families as soon as possible, but it is vital to our national security that Afghanistan does not revert to a terrorist safe haven. The best way to prevent such a catastrophe is to determine our strategy based on conditions on the ground -- not on arbitrary timelines or political considerations. Fortunately, President Obama has adjusted his approach, declaring at a NATO summit in November that his target date for withdrawal is now 2014. While it's still dangerous to announce a specific date, at least the new policy gives the surge more time to work.
The deployment of additional troops was just completed in August, and early indications are encouraging. Under the excellent leadership of General David Petraeus -- architect of the successful Iraq surge -- the military has made noticeable progress in clearing the vital southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar. According to the White House report, "al Qaeda’s senior leadership has been depleted" and our forces have achieved "significant progress in disrupting and dismantling the Pakistan-based leadership and cadre of al Qaeda over the past year." The report also touts the "the significantly increased size and improved capability of the Afghan National Security Forces."
Afghanistan's future stability depends on the development of effective security forces and a stable government capable of repulsing any attempted Taliban resurgence. Given sufficient time and resources, our counterinsurgency strategy can build on recent progress and provide the security and stability necessary to translate our military gains into the establishment of a free and peaceful Afghanistan. When I visited our troops in Afghanistan this past August, the level of optimism, cohesion and unity of purpose was the strongest I'd ever seen. Our forces were confident they had the resources and strategy necessary to complete their vital mission. During the holiday season, we are especially mindful of and grateful for the sacrifices made by our troops and their families. It is my hope that their dedication will be accompanied by the continued support of the government and the American people in the new year ahead.
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