In 2007, Senator Obama gave a major address and outlined his views on the war in Afghanistan. In that speech he contrasted the war there with the war in Iraq, noting that he supported the war in afghanistan from the start and opposed the war in Iraq. He stated that the war in Afghanistan was a war we need to win and outlined a five point strategy:
getting out of Iraq and into Afghanistan
developing the capabilities and partnerships we need to take out the terrorists and the world's most deadly weapons
engaging the world to dry up support for terror and extremism
restoring our values
securing a more resilient homeland
These basic premises was carried throughout the campaign. Senator Obama repeated in speeches, debates, and campaign events that the war in Afghanistan was a just war and needed to be won. He stated that the at least two additional brigades were needed in Afghanistan and a large increase in civilian help and infrastructure building was needed.
Senator Obama continually linked Afghanistan with Pakistan during the campaign. He repeatedly asserted that the safe have in Pakistan for our enemy was preventing a victory in Afghanistan. He stated that if targets were available in Pakistan and the Pakistani government was unwilling to react, he would move as President to destroy those assets.
In February of 2009, President Obama announced that an additional two brigades would be going to Afghanistan. A month after that, President Obama announced a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan
An Attainable Objective
disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its safe havens
A Regional Approach
view Pakistan and Afghanistan as the same area
Building Capacity and More Training
deploy approximately 4,000 more U.S. troops to train the Afghan National Security Forces (17000 already deployed)
Using All Elements of National Power
State Department and foreign assistance programs
Bringing new international elements to the effort
forge a new Contact Group for Afghanistan and Pakistan that brings together all who should have a stake in the security of the region
After this new strategy was announced, several months passed with no action. In September of 2009, President Obama responded to criticism about inaction by stating that a plan was being developed and that no action would be taken until the plan was finished.
In December of 2009, President Obama gave a speech at the West Point Academy and outlined the plan for a surge in Afghanistan. The plan included an additional 30,000 troops along with increased funding and civilian support. The President also announced that troops would begin to withdraw from the region 18 months later - in July of 2011.
In the 2011 State of the Union address, President Obama hailed the progress in Afghanistan and noted that the troops there were denying the terrorists a launching pad.
The War We Need to Win
In August of 2007, Senator Obama spoke at the Wilson Center in D.C. and gave a speech that highlighted his views on Afghanistan that would be echoed throughout the campaign.
... And so, a little more than a year after that bright September day, I was in the streets of Chicago again, this time speaking at a rally in opposition to war in Iraq. I did not oppose all wars, I said. I was a strong supporter of the war in Afghanistan. But I said I could not support "a dumb war, a rash war" in Iraq. I worried about a " U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences" in the heart of the Muslim world. I pleaded that we "finish the fight with bin Ladin and al Qaeda." ...
... It is time to turn the page. When I am President, we will wage the war that has to be won, with a comprehensive strategy with five elements: getting out of Iraq and on to the right battlefield in Afghanistan and Pakistan; developing the capabilities and partnerships we need to take out the terrorists and the world's most deadly weapons; engaging the world to dry up support for terror and extremism; restoring our values; and securing a more resilient homeland.
The first step must be getting off the wrong battlefield in Iraq, and taking the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
I introduced a plan in January that would have already started bringing our troops out of Iraq, with a goal of removing all combat brigades by March 31, 2008. If the President continues to veto this plan, then ending this war will be my first priority when I take office.
There is no military solution in Iraq. Only Iraq's leaders can settle the grievances at the heart of Iraq's civil war. We must apply pressure on them to act, and our best leverage is reducing our troop presence. And we must also do the hard and sustained diplomatic work in the region on behalf of peace and stability.
In ending the war, we must act with more wisdom than we started it. That is why my plan would maintain sufficient forces in the region to target al Qaeda within Iraq. But we must recognize that al Qaeda is not the primary source of violence in Iraq, and has little support -- not from Shia and Kurds who al Qaeda has targeted, or Sunni tribes hostile to foreigners. On the contrary, al Qaeda's appeal within Iraq is enhanced by our troop presence.
Ending the war will help isolate al Qaeda and give Iraqis the incentive and opportunity to take them out. It will also allow us to direct badly needed resources to Afghanistan. Our troops have fought valiantly there, but Iraq has deprived them of the support they need—and deserve. As a result, parts of Afghanistan are falling into the hands of the Taliban, and a mix of terrorism, drugs, and corruption threatens to overwhelm the country.
As President, I would deploy at least two additional brigades to Afghanistan to re-enforce our counter-terrorism operations and support NATO's efforts against the Taliban. As we step up our commitment, our European friends must do the same, and without the burdensome restrictions that have hampered NATO's efforts. We must also put more of an Afghan face on security by improving the training and equipping of the Afghan Army and Police, and including Afghan soldiers in U.S. and NATO operations.
We must not, however, repeat the mistakes of Iraq. The solution in Afghanistan is not just military -- it is political and economic. As President, I would increase our non-military aid by $1 billion. These resources should fund projects at the local level to impact ordinary Afghans, including the development of alternative livelihoods for poppy farmers. And we must seek better performance from the Afghan government, and support that performance through tough anti-corruption safeguards on aid, and increased international support to develop the rule of law across the country.
Above all, I will send a clear message: we will not repeat the mistake of the past, when we turned our back on Afghanistan following Soviet withdrawal. As 9/11 showed us, the security of Afghanistan and America is shared. And today, that security is most threatened by the al Qaeda and Taliban sanctuary in the tribal regions of northwest Pakistan.
Al Qaeda terrorists train, travel, and maintain global communications in this safe-haven. The Taliban pursues a hit and run strategy, striking in Afghanistan, then skulking across the border to safety.
Plan for Afghanistan
On July 15, 2008, Senator Obama gave a policy address at the Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington, D.C.. In that speech, he stated that he would send at least an additional two brigades there. Senator Obama also stated that he would pursue targets in Pakistan if the government would not do so.
Trip to Afghanistan
Days after this speech at the Wilson Center, Senator Obama took a trip to Afghanistan and appeared on face the nation to speak about the situation in Afghanistan and the need for the Afghani government to do more.
The Afghan government needs to do more. But we have to understand that the situation is precarious and urgent here in Afghanistan. And I believe this has to be our central focus, the central front, on our battle against terrorism. ...
I think one of the biggest mistakes we've made strategically after 9/11 was to fail to finish the job here, focus our attention here. We got distracted by Iraq. ...
For at least a year now, I have called for two additional brigades, perhaps three. I think it's very important that we unify command more effectively to coordinate our military activities. But military alone is not going to be enough.
President Bush's Plan Not Enough
In September of 2008, Senator Obama spoke about a recent announcement by President Bush to redeploy some troops from Iraq and send them into Afghanistan. He stated that this plan was not enough.
First Debate on Afghanistan
Second Debate on Afghanistan
A New Direction in Pakistan and Afghanistan
In February of 2009, President Obama announced that he was sending additional brigades into Afghanistan.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
__________________________
For Immediate Release February 17, 2009
There is no more solemn duty as President than the decision to deploy our armed forces into harm’s way. I do it today mindful that the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action. The Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan, and al Qaeda supports the insurgency and threatens America from its safe-haven along the Pakistani border.
To meet urgent security needs, I approved a request from Secretary Gates to deploy a Marine Expeditionary Brigade later this spring and an Army Stryker Brigade and the enabling forces necessary to support them later this summer. This increase has been requested by General McKiernan and supported by Secretary Gates, the Joint Chiefs and the Commander of Central Command. General McKiernan’s request for these troops is months old, and the fact that we are going to responsibly drawdown our forces in Iraq allows us the flexibility to increase our presence in Afghanistan.
This reinforcement will contribute to the security of the Afghan people and to stability in Afghanistan. I recognize the extraordinary strain that this deployment places on our troops and military families. I honor their service, and will give them the support they need.
This increase is necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has not received the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires. That is why I ordered a review of our policy upon taking office, so we have a comprehensive strategy and the necessary resources to meet clear and achievable objectives in Afghanistan and the region. This troop increase does not pre-determine the outcome of that strategic review. Instead, it will further enable our team to put together a comprehensive strategy that will employ all elements of our national power to fulfill achievable goals in Afghanistan. As we develop our new strategic goals, we will do so in concert with our friends and allies as together we seek the resources necessary to succeed.
On March 27, 2009 President Obama announced his new strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This new strategy included efforts to ensure that the two nations do not become a safe haven for terrorists. The President called for funding for a large increase in civilians on the ground. He also noted that a set of benchmarks needed to be set and met so that the US was not there indefinitely. The President also noted that an additional 4000 troops would be sent to Afghanistan by the spring.
Our troops have fought bravely against a ruthless enemy. Our civilians have made great sacrifices. Our allies have borne a heavy burden. Afghans have suffered and sacrificed for their future. But for six years, Afghanistan has been denied the resources that it demands because of the war in Iraq. Now, we must make a commitment that can accomplish our goals.
I've already ordered the deployment of 17,000 troops that had been requested by General McKiernan for many months. These soldiers and Marines will take the fight to the Taliban in the south and the east, and give us a greater capacity to partner with Afghan security forces and to go after insurgents along the border. This push will also help provide security in advance of the important presidential elections in Afghanistan in August.
At the same time, we will shift the emphasis of our mission to training and increasing the size of Afghan security forces, so that they can eventually take the lead in securing their country. That's how we will prepare Afghans to take responsibility for their security, and how we will ultimately be able to bring our own troops home.
...
There is an uncompromising core of the Taliban. They must be met with force, and they must be defeated. But there are also those who've taken up arms because of coercion, or simply for a price. These Afghans must have the option to choose a different course. And that's why we will work with local leaders, the Afghan government, and international partners to have a reconciliation process in every province. As their ranks dwindle, an enemy that has nothing to offer the Afghan people but terror and repression must be further isolated. And we will continue to support the basic human rights of all Afghans -- including women and girls.
Going forward, we will not blindly stay the course. Instead, we will set clear metrics to measure progress and hold ourselves accountable. We’ll consistently assess our efforts to train Afghan security forces and our progress in combating insurgents. We will measure the growth of Afghanistan’s economy, and its illicit narcotics production. And we will review whether we are using the right tools and tactics to make progress towards accomplishing our goals.
In a statement concerning the new strategy that was released the same day, the President outlined the differences in the new strategy.
What’s New in the Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan
"As President, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people…We are in Afghanistan to confront a common enemy that threatens the United States, our friends and allies, and the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan who have suffered the most at the hands of violent extremists. So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future…To achieve our goals, we need a stronger, smarter and comprehensive strategy."
--President Barack Obama
March 27, 2009
An Attainable Objective
On March 27, 2009, the President announced a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan that is the culmination of a careful 60-day, interagency strategic review. During the review process, we consulted with the Afghan and Pakistani governments, partners and NATO allies, other donors, international organizations and members of Congress. The strategy starts with a clear, concise, attainable goal: disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its safe havens. The President’s new approach will be flexible and adoptive and include frequent evaluations of the progress being made.
A Regional Approach
For the first time the President will treat Afghanistan and Pakistan as two countries but one challenge. Our strategy focuses more intensively on Pakistan than in the past, calling for more significant increases in U.S. and international support, both economic and military, linked to Pakistani performance against terror. We will pursue intensive regional diplomacy involving all key players in South Asia and engage both countries in a new trilateral framework at the highest levels. Together in this trilateral format, we will work to enhance intelligence sharing and military cooperation along the border and address common issues like trade, energy, and economic development.
Building Capacity and More Training
For three years, the resources that our commanders need for training have been denied because of the war in Iraq. Now, this will change. The 17,000 additional troops that the President decided in February to deploy have already increased our training capacity. Later this spring we will deploy approximately 4,000 more U.S. troops to train the Afghan National Security Forces so that they can increasingly take responsibility for the security of the Afghan people.
In the President’s strategy, for the first time we will fully resource our effort to train and support the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Every American unit in Afghanistan will be partnered with an Afghan unit, and we will seek additional trainers from our NATO allies to ensure that every Afghan unit has a coalition partner.
Using All Elements of National Power
As the President said, a "campaign against extremism will not succeed with bullets or bombs alone." As a part of this strategy, we will devote significantly more resources to the civilian efforts in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President will submit a budget that includes indispensable investments in our State Department and foreign assistance programs. These investments relieve the burden on our troops and contribute directly to our safety and security.
The Administration consulted with the Congress during our review and is committed to working closely together to provide the resources needed to carry out the strategy. The President supports the bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Senators Kerry and Lugar to authorize $1.5 billion a year in direct support to the Pakistani people over the next five years. He also calls on Congress to pass the bipartisan bill creating Reconstruction Opportunity Zones in Afghanistan and the border regions of Pakistan to develop the economy and bring hope to places plagued by violence.
Bringing new international elements to the effort
The President believes we need to provide more resources for the civilian aspects of the mission, working with the Afghan Government and all of our partners in NATO and the United Nations. As America does more, we will ask others to do join us in doing their part. Together with the United Nations, the Administration will forge a new Contact Group for Afghanistan and Pakistan that brings together all who should have a stake in the security of the region – our NATO allies and other partners, the Central Asian states, Gulf nations, Iran, Russia, India and China. All have a stake in the promise of lasting peace and security and development in the region.
No Immediate Decision
In September of 2009, President Obama spoke at a press conference about the need to plan that he and his administration would not be making any immediate decisions on further troops in Afghanistan.
The Way Forward - The Afghanistan Surge
On December 1, 2009 President Obama addressed the cadets at West Point and outlined his policy to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in a surge to reduce violence and control the nation. At the same time, the President stated that he was placing a deadline on how long troops would remain there and stated the troops would begin to be withdrawn within 18 months. The full address can be seen here. Shortly after that speech at West Point, the White House released a 4 minute summary that showed the highlights of the Presidents plan.
State of the Union Address
In his January of 2011 address, President Obama spoke about the war in Afghanistan and the need for the Afghan government to do more to deliver better governance. He also spoke about the troops coming home in July.
We've also taken the fight to al-Qaeda and their allies abroad. In Afghanistan, our troops have taken Taliban strongholds and trained Afghan security forces. Our purpose is clear: By preventing the Taliban from reestablishing a stranglehold over the Afghan people, we will deny al-Qaeda the safe haven that served as a launching pad for 9/11.
Thanks to our heroic troops and civilians, fewer Afghans are under the control of the insurgency. There will be tough fighting ahead, and the Afghan government will need to deliver better governance. But we are strengthening the capacity of the Afghan people and building an enduring partnership with them. This year, we will work with nearly 50 countries to begin a transition to an Afghan lead. And this July, we will begin to bring our troops home.
Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation
This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.
