Obama's Afghanistan Strategy and My Strategy

The president Obama just announced the plan for the war in Afghanistan. He convinced people that he needs to add more 30,000 troops to Afghanistan and begin withdrawing in July 2011 (completely withdraw by 2013). There are many critics to this plan and most focus on two problems:

• How to pay additional $30B for the first year of the plan when US is still in recession and having many domestic problems.
• How to make sure about the timetable for a successful withdrawing.

Actually, I see what Obama trying to do as an answer for the question: "how to withdraw as soon as possible without being looked as a failure?". He chose 2013 to completly withdraw as a year which is not too late for both US and himself but this answer seems to be not good enough.

Not too hard to understand the reasons behind Obama's plan. He wants to win both in international and domestic stage. He can not let the world looks US as a loser in this war because it proves US's weakness. He also can not solve domestic problems when US is being bogged down in the war in Afghanistan, a war all US people feel that's too enough. If he can win both, that's not only the double winning for US but also the best ticket for him to be re-elected next term.

But is that too much for "a change we can believe in"?

In my opinion, US government should admit, although not easy at all, that:

• You can not defeat Taliban and other Terroist groups ultimately by self with only military force.
• US's power is weaker and weaker, even not to lose the war in Afghanistan.

Terrorism is an international issue and US should find another better way for this "long" war. I still haven't seen any really good solution for this but I think the way US doing is not good enough, for both US and the world.

About US's power, just see how Russia and China sitting around and saying. And even Europe, the best US's ally, just see how Europe reactions to the war. At this time, all countries just focus on eco and I can say, US's power is less than anytime before.

Once US government admits these facts, I think, it will be easier to focus on solving domestic problems that can help to solve others sustainably. Actually, I think, this's too hard for them but now it's a right time for a real change or too late. Obama also does not need to worry when there is nobody can solve all these problems better than him obviously, he still has a chance to be re-elected next term even his plan fails.

So is there any better strategy for all these problems?

I have one for short run. In term of strategy, my strategy is not so different but I see a better way of implement, maybe not the perfect way but it's the way, I think, is most suitable at the moment. He needs to withdraw but withdraw without being looked as a failure, right? How? Just find a reason, a reason nobody can complain. A referendum may be good. And if US people vote for withdrawing as soon as possible, it will be the best reason for him to withdraw, even much sooner than 2011. Because it's US people's will then nobody can say bad things for him and the US. After that, focus on fixing domestic problems especially the economy. In foreign affair, re-tie allies by eco, not by force (and maybe find some new good allies for US's long-term strategy). At the same time, instead paying $30B for additional troops, just use a small piece of it to improve homeland security.

All these are just very first steps which I think are better for a long journey with full of difficulties ahead for US. I know, it never sounds easy like this but what I mean is if I was Obama I would base more on the US people and make them feel listened and protected. Anw, I really hope that he can drive the country out of this severe recession successfully.