Obama’s war cabinet girding up for battle over pace of Afghanistan draw down
March 31st, 2011 - 2:11 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Mar. 31 (ANI): Military leaders and President Obama’s civilian advisers are girding for battle over the size and pace of the planned pullout of U.S. troops from Afghanistan this summer.
According to the Washington Post, the military seeking to limit a reduction in combat forces, while the White House is pressing for a withdrawal substantial enough to placate a war-weary electorate.
At a meeting of his war cabinet this month, Obama said that he wanted a meaningful draw down to start in July.
The divergent views about the withdrawal illustrate the unresolved tensions between Obama’s military and civilian advisers over the decision to send more troops to Afghanistan in a last-ditch attempt to salvage a failing war.
Complicating the debate is growing concern in Washington about the war’s cost, which is estimated to reach 120 billion dollars this year.
As both sides prepare for what they expect to be a vigorous debate, they are seeking ways to achieve their favored outcome by limiting what the other can do. (ANI)
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Tags: afghanistan, billion dollars, combat forces, divergent views, electorate, growing concern, last ditch attempt, military leaders, obama, pace, pullout, salvage, tensions, vigorous debate, war cabinet, washington post, white house