Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

@John Best - Wow....just wow....

Yes Carre nothing else to say but "WOW"

No matter what your opinion is on these issues. Reading the comments written here will give you a broad base of the situation at hand. Thank you to everyone for posting.

They need to set up infrastructure inside the country !!!
Then you will win the war..... !!
Just a silly suggestion......I pray for all our guys...

Yep, secure the population, focus on local governance and building Afghan security forces, and deny and cut off the external sanctuary for the Taliban which is Pakistan. Wow Classic Counter Insurgency theory. Wake up politicians!

Now, once again to try and find your "Jim" regarding help with the M.I.A.

Keep the trops home and go after the terrorists in Congress and the White House.

Well, it's 34,000 U.S., and who knows how many NATO troops, or how they are factored in. I think there was a LOT of thought, though, by a LOT of people, going into this decision... like Ron Paul, I'd like to see the troops home NOW, but if Obama wants to give the Generals one more chance to get binLadn, in conjunction with Pakistan, then let's give them that chance. But, we CANNOT let this go on forever, and the Afghani govt has to know that.

Tanterbury, Hadn't heard that, so I looked it up... the "mean-spirited" comment was somebody's interpretation, probably agenda-driven... can't find any original comment like that.

And the other thing about "did not like this country" is false also, she said "for the first time I'm REALLY proud of my country" which implies she was proud of this ... See Morecountry before - big difference. I've heard many people say the same thing at different times, on both sides.

This country does good and bad, when I see how some veterans have been treated by the VA system, I find it hard to be proud of that, but i'm still proud of my country in general and sometimes REALLY proud - but it depends on what we're talking about.

Hank, read what Gates said... drawdown will "begin" in 18 months, in areas that are not Taliban... and that will depend on conditions. We'll probably just disagree though, I'm mostly with Ron Paul on this, we should get out even sooner... but, if everyone thinks we should take one more best shot at it, then OK let's give then a final warning, and ... See Morethat's what the timetable represents, partly. There's no way we can be assured ANY nation-building will stick, let's do what we came for (AQ primarily, but also keep Taliban from harboring AQ in future if possible) and try to give them the best leg up on a stable govt, but if they won't, they won't. Good luck to all.

Dear Mike Mullen,
if we can do anything to bring Love among nation, plz let us know, we pray to save every human life...

we are nobody, but our prays might help to light-up hope & happiness.
... See More
Yes we love you & consider you as one of WORLD TOP 10 humans, who are custodian of full global population, & defender of future generation

We salute you & your team

Good commentary on the President's plans. Wish Army tours could be shortened from 12 months stated. Many groups in NY area working on sending cards and packages to current deployed trrops. Returning toops tell us what a morale boost it is to receive mail from the public.

Hooyah, Admiral! I wish I could join them!

Josh,

You are right on it. If you dont like it here in the Land of the Free, pls, get on the first plane and leave.

I too support the policy and I am one of the people. I also acknowledge that I am not a foreign policy expert and that the situation on the ground is something I can't comment on as I don't have the facts. I do place my trust in the consultation process between the military and civilian authorities that do have the facts.

As a retired Navy Chief I too support our leadership's policy regarding Afghanistan. However, make no mistake, we are at war with the Taliban, and we will not leave that country until the poppies fields have been destroyed, the war-lords wiped out and the heroin pipelines crushed. Terrorists need money to operate, and if we can destroy their ... See Moremoney crop, then that’s good for the world. But let us not forget all of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians from the United States and several different NATO countries over there and in harms way. Some “people” may not support our leaders, but by GOD, you better support them! Take a moment and say a prayer for them when you go to bed at night, so that they are not forgotten. Because second to the mission, our job is to get every last one of them home safe and sound to their families and loved ones. That being said “OOORAH”…!!!