This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/oct/15/obama-afghanistan-troops-war-extend-term
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| 'The mission will not change': Obama to keep troops in Afghanistan – as it happened | 'The mission will not change': Obama to keep troops in Afghanistan – as it happened |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| 6.07pm BST | 6.07pm BST |
| 18:07 | 18:07 |
| We’re going to end or live coverage of the president’s announcement on Afghanistan with the summary below. | We’re going to end or live coverage of the president’s announcement on Afghanistan with the summary below. |
| 5.54pm BST | 5.54pm BST |
| 17:54 | 17:54 |
| Questions that Guardian staffers didn’t get to ask Obama administration officials, first from national security editor Spencer Ackerman. | Questions that Guardian staffers didn’t get to ask Obama administration officials, first from national security editor Spencer Ackerman. |
| Still waiting to hear an explanation of why Obama's distinction between "combat" and "counterterrorism" in Afghanistan is meaningful. | Still waiting to hear an explanation of why Obama's distinction between "combat" and "counterterrorism" in Afghanistan is meaningful. |
| Dan Roberts, DC bureau chief, on the jargon of war. | Dan Roberts, DC bureau chief, on the jargon of war. |
| The way people talk about "the fighting season" in Afghanistan makes it sound like that a meteorological certainty for the rest of time. | The way people talk about "the fighting season" in Afghanistan makes it sound like that a meteorological certainty for the rest of time. |
| And a time capsule from 2012. | And a time capsule from 2012. |
| FACT: Unlike President Obama, Romney has no plan to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home. | FACT: Unlike President Obama, Romney has no plan to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home. |
| 5.50pm BST | 5.50pm BST |
| 17:50 | 17:50 |
| Republican leaders offer mixed reviews for Obama’s decision to delay a withdrawal from Afghanistan, with speaker of the House John Boehner imputing Isis’ rise to the president’s “half-measures and failed leadership”. | Republican leaders offer mixed reviews for Obama’s decision to delay a withdrawal from Afghanistan, with speaker of the House John Boehner imputing Isis’ rise to the president’s “half-measures and failed leadership”. |
| Maintaining the status quo in #Afghanistan is not a plan for success: http://t.co/EcoZMWb3oA pic.twitter.com/8Hcdb8Pci8 | Maintaining the status quo in #Afghanistan is not a plan for success: http://t.co/EcoZMWb3oA pic.twitter.com/8Hcdb8Pci8 |
| Iowa senator Chuck Grassley, a veteran Republican, gives pithier praise. | Iowa senator Chuck Grassley, a veteran Republican, gives pithier praise. |
| Welcome Obama decision 2day not withdraw all troops fr Afghanistan. He learned fr such mistake in Iraq | Welcome Obama decision 2day not withdraw all troops fr Afghanistan. He learned fr such mistake in Iraq |
| 5.39pm BST | 5.39pm BST |
| 17:39 | 17:39 |
| Several senior White House officials just finished a briefing call, answering questions from reporters – one of whom asked how much the example of Iraq, where Isis took advantage of a fractured government and weak security forces, affected the president’s decision on Afghanistan. | Several senior White House officials just finished a briefing call, answering questions from reporters – one of whom asked how much the example of Iraq, where Isis took advantage of a fractured government and weak security forces, affected the president’s decision on Afghanistan. |
| White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that the “common theme” in both cases was that Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan’s relatively new president, and Haider al-Abadi, who gained office in Iraq only last year, had both asked for US help. | White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that the “common theme” in both cases was that Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan’s relatively new president, and Haider al-Abadi, who gained office in Iraq only last year, had both asked for US help. |
| The pertinent lesson, Earnest continued, was actually from the original invasion of Iraq in 2003. | The pertinent lesson, Earnest continued, was actually from the original invasion of Iraq in 2003. |
| “The United States will not be able to impose a military solution on either of these countries,” he said. Instead, the US had learned it that “to build up the capacity of their security forces requires effective cooperation.” | “The United States will not be able to impose a military solution on either of these countries,” he said. Instead, the US had learned it that “to build up the capacity of their security forces requires effective cooperation.” |
| “In 2011 we didn’t have that cooperation with the Iraqi central government,” he said, “and the central government in Iraq has changed.” | “In 2011 we didn’t have that cooperation with the Iraqi central government,” he said, “and the central government in Iraq has changed.” |
| Earnest said the new government “is having a corresponding impact, a positive one on US national security interests, and that’s the current trajectory in Afghanistan as well.” | Earnest said the new government “is having a corresponding impact, a positive one on US national security interests, and that’s the current trajectory in Afghanistan as well.” |
| 5.27pm BST | 5.27pm BST |
| 17:27 | 17:27 |
| The commander of US forces in Afghanistan, general John F Campbell, also praises the decision to keep 9,800 troops in the country. | The commander of US forces in Afghanistan, general John F Campbell, also praises the decision to keep 9,800 troops in the country. |
| We welcome President Obama’s decision today, which provides us the ability to further develop a lasting strategic relationship with our Afghan partners and allows us to counter the rise of violent extremism in a volatile part of the world. | We welcome President Obama’s decision today, which provides us the ability to further develop a lasting strategic relationship with our Afghan partners and allows us to counter the rise of violent extremism in a volatile part of the world. |
| This decision also serves notice to our common enemies: their war against the legitimate Afghan Government, the Afghan people, the international community, and our shared values, remains futile. It is time for them to lay down their arms and enter the political process. | This decision also serves notice to our common enemies: their war against the legitimate Afghan Government, the Afghan people, the international community, and our shared values, remains futile. It is time for them to lay down their arms and enter the political process. |
| Our continued efforts to stabilize Afghanistan will benefit the entire region, and in turn, offer greater security for the U.S. homeland and Americans abroad and at home. | Our continued efforts to stabilize Afghanistan will benefit the entire region, and in turn, offer greater security for the U.S. homeland and Americans abroad and at home. |
| We remain committed to assisting our Afghan partners in achieving sustainable security and stability as we work to solidify the gains made by our coalition over the last 14 years. | We remain committed to assisting our Afghan partners in achieving sustainable security and stability as we work to solidify the gains made by our coalition over the last 14 years. |
| 5.16pm BST | 5.16pm BST |
| 17:16 | 17:16 |
| Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nato’s secretary general, says he “welcomes” the announcement that US troops will remain at their current numbers in Afghanistan. | Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nato’s secretary general, says he “welcomes” the announcement that US troops will remain at their current numbers in Afghanistan. |
| This important decision paves the way for a sustained presence by NATO Allies and partners in Afghanistan. In the coming weeks, the Alliance will take key decisions about the future scope of the Resolute Support Mission. The significant United States contribution will be an important factor as we consider the way ahead. | This important decision paves the way for a sustained presence by NATO Allies and partners in Afghanistan. In the coming weeks, the Alliance will take key decisions about the future scope of the Resolute Support Mission. The significant United States contribution will be an important factor as we consider the way ahead. |
| The Afghan security forces continue to carry out their security responsibilities across the country, in a very challenging security environment. So it’s crucial that we continue to support them, practically and financially, to preserve the gains we have achieved in Afghanistan through our joint efforts over many years. | The Afghan security forces continue to carry out their security responsibilities across the country, in a very challenging security environment. So it’s crucial that we continue to support them, practically and financially, to preserve the gains we have achieved in Afghanistan through our joint efforts over many years. |
| 5.02pm BST | 5.02pm BST |
| 17:02 | 17:02 |
| Obama’s Afghanistan decision seals his legacy as the “twilight war” president, writes my colleague Spencer Ackerman, the Guardian’s national security editor. | Obama’s Afghanistan decision seals his legacy as the “twilight war” president, writes my colleague Spencer Ackerman, the Guardian’s national security editor. |
| Obama’s decision to scrap his long-deferred ambition to end the US military commitment to Afghanistan reflects a twilight period in US warfare: after more than a decade, military commanders are unable to defeat an insurgency or field an indigenous proxy force and political leaders are unwilling to accept the blame of losing a war or openly committing the US to indefinite combat. | Obama’s decision to scrap his long-deferred ambition to end the US military commitment to Afghanistan reflects a twilight period in US warfare: after more than a decade, military commanders are unable to defeat an insurgency or field an indigenous proxy force and political leaders are unwilling to accept the blame of losing a war or openly committing the US to indefinite combat. |
| The result is a fudge that favors a rump force based on dubious military necessity and a hope that, at some point, the local force –whether in Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere – will be able to shoulder the burden. | The result is a fudge that favors a rump force based on dubious military necessity and a hope that, at some point, the local force –whether in Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere – will be able to shoulder the burden. |
| While “no one wants to quote, ‘lose a war’ on their watch”, said retired army lieutenant general Dan Bolger who once led the training of the Afghan army, the US is “kidding ourselves – the US-led counterinsurgency has already been lost, the Afghans’ counterinsurgency is on. We have to decide: do we contribute to it, and how?” | While “no one wants to quote, ‘lose a war’ on their watch”, said retired army lieutenant general Dan Bolger who once led the training of the Afghan army, the US is “kidding ourselves – the US-led counterinsurgency has already been lost, the Afghans’ counterinsurgency is on. We have to decide: do we contribute to it, and how?” |
| The Taliban have proven after 14 years that the US cannot place it in that situation at acceptable sacrifice, Spencer continues. “Obama’s most vociferous critics are unwilling to call for a re-escalation in Afghanistan, a barometer of how brittle US support for its longest war actually is.” | The Taliban have proven after 14 years that the US cannot place it in that situation at acceptable sacrifice, Spencer continues. “Obama’s most vociferous critics are unwilling to call for a re-escalation in Afghanistan, a barometer of how brittle US support for its longest war actually is.” |
| The result is warfare in both Afghanistan and Iraq whose closest approximation to success is not victory over the insurgency, but rather the persistence of a US presence. | The result is warfare in both Afghanistan and Iraq whose closest approximation to success is not victory over the insurgency, but rather the persistence of a US presence. |
| With a gamble that the all-volunteer military limits the American exposure to the horrors of war, both the Bush and Obama administrations have drifted toward indefinite commitment and sponsorship of foreign proxies, as in Korea, Germany and Japan – only without achieving either the Korean armistice nor the German and Japanese victory. | With a gamble that the all-volunteer military limits the American exposure to the horrors of war, both the Bush and Obama administrations have drifted toward indefinite commitment and sponsorship of foreign proxies, as in Korea, Germany and Japan – only without achieving either the Korean armistice nor the German and Japanese victory. |
| Related: Afghanistan decision seals Obama's legacy as the 'twilight war' president | Related: Afghanistan decision seals Obama's legacy as the 'twilight war' president |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.11pm BST | at 5.11pm BST |
| 4.45pm BST | 4.45pm BST |
| 16:45 | 16:45 |
| “Obama’s move will inevitably be seen as reflecting lack of confidence in the Afghan security force,” writes Simon Tisdall, the Guardian’s foreign affairs columnist in London, “despite billions of dollars spent in training and arming them in the past decade.” | “Obama’s move will inevitably be seen as reflecting lack of confidence in the Afghan security force,” writes Simon Tisdall, the Guardian’s foreign affairs columnist in London, “despite billions of dollars spent in training and arming them in the past decade.” |
| At the same time, it is hard to see how the decision to keep at least 5,500 American troops in-country for an apparently indefinite period, backed up, as now, with US combat aircraft and CIA drones, will make a significant difference. | At the same time, it is hard to see how the decision to keep at least 5,500 American troops in-country for an apparently indefinite period, backed up, as now, with US combat aircraft and CIA drones, will make a significant difference. |
| The remaining troops will be confined, Bosnia-like, to fortified camps at Bagram airfield – the largest US military base in the country – Jalalabad in the east, and Kandahar in the south. Again like in Bosnia in the 1990s, when American commanders appeared obsessed with “force protection” to the exclusion of more engaged roles, the troops will not take part in combat. | The remaining troops will be confined, Bosnia-like, to fortified camps at Bagram airfield – the largest US military base in the country – Jalalabad in the east, and Kandahar in the south. Again like in Bosnia in the 1990s, when American commanders appeared obsessed with “force protection” to the exclusion of more engaged roles, the troops will not take part in combat. |
| The U-turn on US policy could have serious implications for the 2016 race for president, he continues, since former secretary of state Hillary Clinton helped engineer American policy toward Afghanistan – and since it will fall to her or someone else to manage US forces in Afghanistan come 2017. The winners and losers are stark, in his estimation. | The U-turn on US policy could have serious implications for the 2016 race for president, he continues, since former secretary of state Hillary Clinton helped engineer American policy toward Afghanistan – and since it will fall to her or someone else to manage US forces in Afghanistan come 2017. The winners and losers are stark, in his estimation. |
| The Taliban must be loving this confusion in the heart of Washington. So too must al-Qaida and Islamic State, which has been busy setting up shop in Afghanistan in the wake of Nato’s withdrawal. | The Taliban must be loving this confusion in the heart of Washington. So too must al-Qaida and Islamic State, which has been busy setting up shop in Afghanistan in the wake of Nato’s withdrawal. |
| The losers, once again, are the Afghan people, trapped between frantic incompetence and fanatical intolerance. It is no accident that, after Syrians, Afghans are said to make up the largest proportion of migrants making for safety in Europe. | The losers, once again, are the Afghan people, trapped between frantic incompetence and fanatical intolerance. It is no accident that, after Syrians, Afghans are said to make up the largest proportion of migrants making for safety in Europe. |
| Related: Obama U-turn on troops withdrawal makes Afghanistan an election issue | Related: Obama U-turn on troops withdrawal makes Afghanistan an election issue |
| 4.32pm BST | 4.32pm BST |
| 16:32 | 16:32 |
| The Guardian’s national security editor, Spencer Ackerman, injects some skepticism into his snap reaction to the president’s speech. | The Guardian’s national security editor, Spencer Ackerman, injects some skepticism into his snap reaction to the president’s speech. |
| Obama: "I do not support the idea of endless war." Just the practice, then. | Obama: "I do not support the idea of endless war." Just the practice, then. |
| The New York Times’ Peter Baker meanwhile notes the implicit rebuke to former Afghan president Hamid Karzai; Pentagon and administration officials have been praising Ghani for weeks, and rarely, if ever, mention his predecessor, who disputed US troop proposals for years. | The New York Times’ Peter Baker meanwhile notes the implicit rebuke to former Afghan president Hamid Karzai; Pentagon and administration officials have been praising Ghani for weeks, and rarely, if ever, mention his predecessor, who disputed US troop proposals for years. |
| In keeping troops in Afghanistan, Obama emphasizes his reliance on Ghani, who US officials feel much better about than Karzai. | In keeping troops in Afghanistan, Obama emphasizes his reliance on Ghani, who US officials feel much better about than Karzai. |
| 4.23pm BST | 4.23pm BST |
| 16:23 | 16:23 |
| Obama defends the strategy of re-evaluation and “adjustments”. | Obama defends the strategy of re-evaluation and “adjustments”. |
| “Understand, relative to what was involved when we were in an active combat role and actively engaged in war in Afghanistan,” Obama says, “that was a very different scenario.” | “Understand, relative to what was involved when we were in an active combat role and actively engaged in war in Afghanistan,” Obama says, “that was a very different scenario.” |
| He says the US will continue to keep pressure on the Afghan government to make its own progress, but “we’ve got to be a steady partner for them.” | He says the US will continue to keep pressure on the Afghan government to make its own progress, but “we’ve got to be a steady partner for them.” |
| With that he leaves the podium. | With that he leaves the podium. |