Obama: Afghanistan Going to Get Worse Before it Gets Better

Tries to Spin Gloomy Forecast as Upbeat With Talks of Progress

Speaking today alongside Afghan President Hamid Karzai, President Obama sought to tout the “undeniable” progress nearly nine years into the war in Afghanistan, but it certainly didn’t read as particularly upbeat.

Obama admitted that thing were going to continue to get worse in the war before they get better, a common refrain among US officials whenever a new escalation has gotten underway.

Historically these predictions have proven half true, things do indeed get worse as the escalation continues, though the “get better” part never seems to happen, which explains why new strategies are announced so regularly.

And indications are that this time will be no different. Already many of the top Pentagon officials are expressing growing doubt about the McChrystal Plan, warning that it is overly optimistic.

In the meantime President Obama seems determined to convince people that everything is “on track” despite mounting evidence to the contrary, while insisting that the war must absolutely be seen through to its eventual, albeit speculative, conclusion.

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.