Afghan War Will Not Be Open-Ended, Says President Obama

President Barack Obama delivers a primetime address to the nation from inside the Oval Office.

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Obama’s plan for Iraq viewed as “the height of irresponsibility”

Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign held a press conference call to discuss Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) position on Iraq. Randy Scheunemann, the senior foreign policy adviser on the McCain campaign, explained that he is pleased to see Obama in Iraq and glad that Obama can see first hand the progress on security that has been made under the surge policy. Scheunemann said that Obama will meet with Gen. Petraeus and other commanders for the first time, witch the McCain team thinks is a great development.

Scheunemann explained that he hopes Obama will listen to the U.S. military commanders in Iraq when they explain the problems of a date driven withdrawal. Gen. Petraeus has made it clear that a withdrawal from Iraq must be based on the security conditions on the ground, on what the enemy is doing and is likely to do, otherwise all U.S. gains would be jeopardized. Scheunemann said that many commanders have previously explained that an unconditional, date driven withdrawal would be very dangerous. He also explained that McCain hopes Obama will not ignore military judgment on the importance of having a conditions based withdrawal and supplement it with his own military assessment, which is “really based more on a political calculation.”

Scheunemann explained that McCain has always said two things guide his view when it comes to withdrawal from Iraq: conditions on the ground and advice from U.S. military commanders. Because conditions are improving with the successful surge, and if conditions continue to improve, McCain does believe that the U.S. will be able to withdraw. Scheunemann explained, however, that this is not a date driven time table, but merely a hope based on gains made today and gains that will hopefully continue to be made in the future, opposed to Obama’s “irresponsible” plan. (13:43)
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Crocker: If we pull out, we risk an al-Qaida base in Iraq

Testifying before the House Foreign Relations Committee, Ambassador Ryan Crocker says that if there is a precipitous withdrawal from Iraq one risk is al-Qaida establishing a base in the Middle East. (0:29)
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"We're here because we're here"

During a hearing of the House Foreign Relations Committee Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY) criticizes the war, saying it is an endless loop. (0:45)
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Petraeus recommends a 45-day pause to evaluate troop reductions

Gen. David Petreaus, commander of Multinational Forces Iraq, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, calls for a 45-day evaluation period before continuing withdrawal of U.S. troops beyond scheduled draw downs in July. (0:46)
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Crocker: al-Qaida is our mortal enemy

Answering questions from Sen. John Warner (R-VA) Ambassador Ryan Crocker says that al-Qaida is the mortal and strategic enemy of the United States. (0:42)
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Petraeus: Iran is behind Iraqi extremists

Answering questions from Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of Multinational Forces Iraq says that Iran is responsible for training and equipping some Iraqi extremist groups that target the American military. (1:17)
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Clinton: the purpose of the surge has not been achieved

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), a presidential criticizes the strategy of the Bush administration regarding the war in Iraq. She saysv that the longer the United States stays in Iraq, the more opportunities that are lost elsewhere in the world. (0:56)
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More troops, more time, more money

Speaking at a press conference on the cost of the war Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) says that "every event in Iraq can not be a justification for more troops, more time, more money." (0:20)
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Admiral Mike Mullen speaks about drawing down American troops in Iraq

During a press availability at the Pentagon, Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says that drawing down troops in Iraq is a delicate balance. Mullen says he wants more time at home for the troops. (1:00)
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General Carter Ham speaks about troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan during a press conference at the Pentagon

Gen. Ham, director of operations for the Joint Staff, gives the numbers for projected troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan by July. (0:41)
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Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaks about Australia's reduction in fighting forces in Iraq with Pentagon pool reporters

Sec. Gates speaks about Australia's role in the war in Iraq. Australia announced that it will reduce it's force in Iraq by a third and will shift reaming forces from combat roles to development goals. Gates says that the Australians are in dialog with General David Petraeus, the commander of Multinational Forces Iraq. Gates made these remarks on a plane en route to Australia. (0:22)
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