The Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan

The Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Name: Ted Johnson                                 Date: 13 April 2010

Based upon the attached “Remarks by the President in “Address to the Nation on the Way Forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan”, the President stated that as Commander in Chief   he made the determination that it was in the vital national interest of the United States to send in an additional 30,000 U.S. Troops to Afghanistan. The President stated that the United States must deny Al Qaeda a safe haven, reverse the Taliban’s momentum and deny it the ability to overthrow the government. Strengthen the capacity of Afghanistan’s security forces and government so that the Afghanis could take lead responsibility for Afghanistan’s future.   The President had three objectives to fulfill in order to meet his objectives:               I. Pursue a military strategy that will break the Taliban’s momentum and increase Afghanistan’s capacity over 18 months.   NDS-Wining our Nations wars                                                                                                                                           II. Work with U.S. partners, the United Nations and the Afghan people to pursue a more effective civilian strategy, so that the government can take advantage of improved security.

NDS - Strengthen and Expand Alliances and Partnerships

III. Act with full recognition that U.S. success in Afghanistan in inextricably linked to the U. S. Partnership with Pakistan.   NDS - Strengthen and Expand Alliances and Partnerships

Why and how does the 2008 National Defense Strategy counterbalance the armed forces past tendency to focus on conventional threats and conflicts?                                                                                               The 2008 National Defense Strategy   counter balances the armed forces ‘ past tendency to focus on conventional threats and conflicts mainly because of the irregular warfare that the United...