Retired Lt. General calls for change in Afghan War

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

While testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Retired Lt. General David Barno said that in his opinion the Afghan war at the beginning of 2009 was "drifting towards failure", and that a change in strategy is necessary. He defined success for the United States in 5 ways. First, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda being defeated in the region and denied usable sanctuary, preventing them from engaging in future attacks on the United States and its allies. Secondly, Pakistan would become a long term ally of the United States, and no longer would serve as a terrorist base. Next, success for NATO is important to the US mission, as is establishing a stable and sustainable Afghan government which is legitimate in the eyes of its people and can govern and control its territory. Finally, the people in this region should be confident in U.S. as a friend in helping them combat extremism. (2:12)
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Lt. Gen. David Barno addressed House Armed Services Committee on Afghanistan

Retired Lieutenant General David Barno spoke today in front of the House Armed Services Committee about the escalation of violence in Afghanistan since 2004. He cited figures revealing stark increases in “security incidents,” roadside bombs, suicide bombings, and air attacks by coalition and NATO forces. He described suicide bombings in Afghanistan as a “decidedly non-Afghan phenomenon… which has been imported from Iraq.”

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