Kissinger Compares Afghanistan To Vietnam

During a panel discussion at the Woodrow Wilson Center Tuesday, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger says that Afghanistan and Vietnam are similar in the sense that the military strategies exceeded the consensus of the American public. (1:35)

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McChrystal: Withdrawal Timeframe Not A Major Factor In My Strategy

During his testimony before Congress, General Stanley McChrystal said that the withdrawal timeline for Afghanistan was not a major factor in his military strategy. (0:08)
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McChrystal Acknowledges Risks Of Withdrawal Timetable

During his testimony before Congress, General Stanley McChrystal candidly acknowledged the risks that could come with the withdrawal timetable.

“I do want to say up front, there are people who will grab onto that, I think inappropriately, and they will try to use it in information operations and describe it as something that it is not in terms of lack of commitment on the part of U.S. and the coalition,” said McChrystal. “But I think we can deal with that.” (0:22)

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Obama Defends Withdrawal Timetable

President Barack Obama acknowledged Tuesday night that his proposed 18-month withdrawal timetable may be controversial, but says that it is necessary.

"[Declining a timetable] sets goals that are beyond what we can achieve at a reasonable cost, and what we need to achieve to secure our interests," Obama said. (0:58)
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Obama campaign blasts McCain’s changing Iraq position

In an Obama campaign conference call, former Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig and Major General Geoffrey Lambert (USA, Ret.,) discuss McCain’s opposition to a timetable for withdrawal in Iraq and the Iraqi governments support for the establishment of a timetable. Lambert says Iraqi forces have a greater functioning capacity and increased confidence, two factors that increase Iraqis’ desire for sovereignty. Danzig states that McCain previously said he would support withdrawal if requested by the Iraqi government and questions why McCain’s position has changed. Danzig adds that Sen. Obama’s support for withdrawal matches Iraqi and American public sentiment. He also says McCain’s position fuels mistrust of the United States in the region. (11:36)
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