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| Afghanistan |
| Bush orders Afghan strategy review |
| 2008-09-24 |
| PRESIDENT George W. Bush has ordered a review of US strategy in Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon official said today, amid rising insurgent violence and tensions with Pakistan. The review is being led by Lieutenant General Douglas Lute, a deputy national security adviser, with the participation of senior representatives from the Pentagon and other departments, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Clearly this seems to be a larger, more cross-governmental approach to what we do here on a regular basis," the official said, referring to the Pentagon and its regular reviews of military strategy. "I think we're trying to get everything in order and make sure were on a footing for long-term success," he said. With only months left to the current administration, the White House wants to move quickly, the official said. "I wouldn't necessarily assume that there is going to be a complete new strategy. That's what's being considered. Are these things that require adjustments?" he said. It comes amid growing concern in the military and elsewhere over signs that insurgent groups operating from safe havens in Pakistan have coalesced and gained strength over the past two years. Admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told lawmkers earlier this month he was not convinced that the United States was winning. He said he had commissioned a strategy review by the Joint Staff that would encompass not just Afghanistan but Pakistan as well. The Pentagon official said the Joint Staff has participants in the White House review, along with senior Pentagon officials responsible for policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He said there was broad support for an approach that "doesn't look at Afghanistan as an island, but looks at it in connection with Pakistan". "The problems we are seeing in (eastern Afghanistan) are directly attributable to what is going on the other side of the border," he said. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #2 It's good if they take both Afghanistan and Pakistan into account as they strategize, right? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-09-24 23:43 |
| #1 Clearly this seems to be a larger, more cross-governmental approach to what we do here on a regular basis Mind boggles. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2008-09-24 19:48 |