Levin Backs Obama's Troop Reduction Date In Afghanistan

By Kyle LaFleur - Talk Radio News Service

US Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman Carl Levin expressed great support Friday morning to the Council on Foreign Relations for President Obama’s strategy to begin reducing US forces in Afghanistan and transfer in responsibilities to the Afghan government in July 2011.

“Once the President announced his decision, I focused my efforts on what I believe to be the decisive factor in success or failure in Afghanistan, building the Afghan army’s capability and getting Afghan troops to take the lead in operations,” said Levin, “That belief is based on my conviction that it will be up to the Afghan forces and people to succeed in this conflict if they want a better future than the grim prospect the Taliban offers.”

Levin bolstered his support for the timed turnover by pointing out that when Marines began operations in Helmand Province last spring, the ratio of Marines to Afghan soldiers was five to one. 

“The ratio is now one to one,” said Levin, “And we finally are seeing Afghan forces leading some operations in Arghandab and other districts around Kandahar.  Having Afghans lead these operations is the Taliban’s worst nightmare, because it gives the lie to the Taliban propaganda that portrays Western troops as hostile occupiers.”

Levin believes sticking to the July 2011 date would also send a message of pressure to the President Karzai and the Afghan government to earn the support of the people. The senator also said that only through proving itself as a legitimate and effective governing body, Afghanistan would not return to a state of “Taliban domination” and the negative public view of the government would jeopardize sustaining credibility of a currently respected Afghan army.

“If the Afghan people begin to perceive the army as protecting a corrupt and ineffective national government, that respect will wane,” he said. 

Back at home, people seem to agree with Levin.  A Gallup poll from June showed that 58% of Americans agreed with the President’s time table.