Let Somalia lesson factor in war strategy
Mood:  bright
Topic: Let Somalia lesson factor

http://www.stripes.com/let-somalia-lesson-factor-in-war-strategy-1.130479

 [QUOTE]Somalia’s lesson is, in placing forces in harm’s way, a U.S. president has a duty to minimize their risk by providing every asset necessary to do so — independent of political considerations.  When President Barack Obama announced his decision to send additional U.S. forces — but fewer than military commanders recommended — to Afghanistan, he committed to withdraw them by the end of this year. This violated the lesson of Somalia. Playing domestic politics, Obama wanted to send the message he was not fighting a long war in Afghanistan. But it exposed our forces to greater risk by providing insufficient forces, telling the Taliban you only need to continue the fight for 18 months before we leave and causing locals to ask: “Why support a transient U.S. effort?”  Fortunately, on Nov. 19, Obama decided to send tanks to support the Afghan War effort. He obviously recognizes the 2011 date is no longer viable and even the more recently suggested 2014 withdrawal date may be unrealistic.[/QUOTE]