Obama ‘Blasts Defense Establishment’ While Touting War

Afghanistan War 'Won't Be Quick or Easy,' But Will Continue

Speaking today to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, President Barack Obama publicly chastized Congress for the ‘exotic projects’ it had added into the defense budget, and threatened to veto the billl. He also criticized what he called a “defense establishment that has yet to fully adapt to the post-Cold War world.”

His target of choice was the now $13 billion program to build him a presidential helicopter with an onboard kitchen. President Obama promised that if the United States is under a nuclear attack he won’t be preparing any meals in the helicopter.

At the same time, Obama touted the war in Afghanistan, which he insisted was not only necessary but the cornerstone of defending the American public. He insisted that continuing the now eight year long military occupation was necessary to stop future 9/11-style attacks.

Domestic support for the Afghan war has been plummeting in recent months, and Obama’s own popularity is beginning to sag with it. As with President Bush before him, however, Obama seems unwilling to back off his hawkish position, and the war shows no signs of ending.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.