If you blinked it is possible you missed yesterday’s news that President Obama had decided to send 17,000 troops to Afghanistan in what some see as a “mini-surge”; a plan that will hopefully bring stability to the nation. This decision follows a series of bombings alleged to have come from American predator drones inside of Pakistan; these actions have raised the ire of many in that nation but appear to make good suggestions by then candidate Obama that he would strike inside of Pakistan to reach and destabilize the networks of Islamic fascism.
There are many reasons to believe that this “mini-surge” will not have the same effect that President Bush’s surge had in Iraq. These wars, while extensions of one another, are very different. Afghanistan presents major logistical issues; there appears to be few internal leaders ready and waiting to take leadership of a unified nation while the tribal, ethnic and religious divisions that exist seem incapable of truly unifying into a collective. The border with Pakistan, whose government itself is on the brink of collapse, presents a very unique problem. Further operations into that nation could spark either a Civil War, coup de’etat or result in a series of unpredictable events resulting in the destruction of any chance toward to establish peace. Even the least of our worries, that the status quo will continue in Pakistan, is not an ideal outcome because Pakistan gives aide and comfort to our enemies.
When one considers the enormity of these challenges, one cannot possibly deny our Commander-in-Chief their wholehearted and overwhelming support. In deciding to strengthen the force in Afghanistan, President Obama has made his first major decision as the leader of our nation’s defense. Every preconception he walked into office with will be tested and he now must embrace the solemn duty of sending men and women into harms way knowing their souls were sent to battle not by his predecessor but instead from his command.
The left chose to use every moment of President Bush’s terms to indict our nation because of their distrust and dislike of his personality and persona. This is a path that cannot be embraced by those of us on the right. While I personally disagree with the President on nearly every issue foreign, domestic and economic, I respect the office and understand the demonstrable importance of winning our War against Islamic fascism. In pursuit of our nation’s defense, I have no doubt the president will find nothing less than the full faith, confidence and support of the Republican Party, American conservatives and all people who believe that our liberty must from time-to-time be defended from the brutal hand of tyranny and intolerance.
While I will not always agree with the actions President Obama takes in this respect, I will always regard his right as commander to take them. If a course of action continually leads to the weakness of our nation’s defense, I will use all available means to voice my dissent but never will I tarnish the good name of our armed forces or indict the totality of our nation in the way that many on the left chose to do over the last eight years.
I support our President and hope that he will guide our forces to victory, not just in Afghanistan but in every conflict small and large they may face in the coming years. I hope that he will command our mighty forces with clarity of thought and confidence in purpose. Our enemy is cunning but our resolve for freedom has proven triumphant over far stronger and better equipped enemies.
As long as our President is willing to stand up to the challenge of securing our liberty, he will have my full support.
