Leadership is Not an Option
In his clear cut conclusion the top American commander in Afghanistan forces a stark and urgent choice on President Obama and his administration. “The status quo will lead to failure” is the quote from General Stanley McChrystal that bluntly sums up his report now being debated by policy makers in DC. The report makes clear his view that ultimate success in Afghanistan requires overcoming two main threats: “The insurgency and a crisis of confidence among Afghans in their own government. Both must be addressed, and together they require more resources”, he says. “Insufficiently addressing either principal threat will result in failure,” the general concludes. The McChrystal assessment will test the President’s assertion, just six months ago, that he would put the war effort on a path to success by providing what the previous White House didn’t. Will He? Given the backpedaling clearly evident in the recent statements from the administration, it seems a new strategy is consid...