Should The U.S. Withdraw From Afghanistan?

U.S. Army 1st Lt. David T. Broyles watches as his men leave Observation Post Rocky with Afghan National Army Soldiers in Kunar province, Afghanistan, July 19, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte

Daniel L. Davis, Politico: Don't delay the military drawdown in Afghanistan

The U.S.'s current military strategy isn't working. It's time for a new plan.

The past few months have seen a series of setbacks for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan as the Taliban has slowly gained territory and further destabilized the country through suicide attacks. As President Barack Obama’s second term winds down, he faces a critical decision over whether to follow through on a scheduled force reduction in the country.

While the military’s direct combat role in Afghanistan officially ended almost two years ago, nearly 10,000 troops remain, helping train Afghan soldiers and at times carrying out offensive strikes against the Taliban. The military is supposed to reduce the number of troops to 5,500 by the end of the year, but as the militants have gained ground, military leaders and politicians have increasingly called for Obama to delay the drawdown. This would be a big mistake. Instead of doubling down on a failed military strategy, the president should either make drastic changes to the mission or bring the war — really — to an end.

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WNU Editor: After 8 years there have been (and still are) many disappointments in President Obama's foreign policy. Afghanistan is near the top of that list. My prediction .... President Obama will maintain current troop levels in the country, and he will give this mess to the next President.