National Review writer Marin Strmecki offers praise for Obama’s Afghan policy, but…
Marin Strmecki: “Two Cheers for Obama’s Afghanistan Policy”
“When a president from the liberal wing of the Democratic parties defies part of his political base in order to protect the national security and vital interests of the United States, it is not wise to begrudge him a measure of praise. In his speech last night, President Obama correctly framed the threat we face and set forth a generally sound political-military concept of operations. However… “
“Therefore, only two cheers.”
“The president deserves praise for the way he has defined the problem. The United States faces a syndicate of violent extremist groups — al-Qaeda among them — that is based in western Pakistan. .. The right way to think about the problem is that we face a single threat that radiates in three directions.”
“In addition, the president deserves plaudits for rejecting a narrow counterterrorist strategy.”