Panetta: US Committed to ‘Enduring Presence’ in Afghanistan
No Decision Yet, But Believes US Will Keep Troops There Long Past 2014
Are the Obama Administration’s recent reports of considering a full withdrawal from Afghanistan real or just diplomatic ploys? Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta seems to be assuming the later.
“In Chicago we said that we’re committing to an enduring presence,” Panetta said, adding that he believes President Obama fully intends to follow through on that by keeping troops in Afghanistan long past the end of 2014.
Panetta is referring to the May summit in Chicago, which ended with an official declaration that NATO believes it has a “crucial role” to play militarily in Afghanistan beyond 2014, but that it would be “different” than the current one.
Though officially the war is supposed to “end” at the end of 2014, President Obama has already signed a pact with the Karzai government to keep US troops in Afghanistan through at least 2024.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
- 12 Chechen Fighters Killed in Central Syria - May 24th, 2013
- Syrian Rebel Unity Talks on Brink of Collapse - May 24th, 2013
- New US Embassy Guards to Cost $1.6 Million Each - May 24th, 2013
- Constant Mortar Fire as Sectarian Violence Continues in North Lebanon - May 24th, 2013
- Obama's Drone Limits Welcomed in Pakistan, If They Pan Out - May 24th, 2013
nomange
February 3rd, 2013 at 9:26 pm
Panetta is not going to let go of Afghanistan's resources, resources that he believes should belong to the U.S. The only way the U.S. will leave is when it is forced to leave, and that will happen, since no American who stays there will ever be safe, drones or no drones. That is the reality, even if he doesn't want to face it.
Bill Lee
February 3rd, 2013 at 10:27 pm
We have to stay until you agree to let us stay.
persnipoles
February 4th, 2013 at 1:50 am
I'm not 'enduring' his presence at all. Get the f–k out, Leon.
Roger Lafontaine
February 4th, 2013 at 2:59 am
The word 'enduring' makes it sound so selfless, as if Jesus Christ Himself were doing it 'for the good of the planet'. But I think this is more 'salesmanship' than self-sacrifice.
MoT
February 4th, 2013 at 8:22 am
Enduring, like Germany, Japan, Korea and elsewhere? Definition: Forever.
Bianca
February 4th, 2013 at 9:38 am
Well, why not. He will never have to face a life of a retiree whose income has been devastated by the zero inteest rate — the rate so critical to our "ENDURING" world globe trekking that handsomely rewards the connected, and pushes into poverty millions.
Other then that, we are globetrekking for no known reason whatsoever.
pendulum
February 4th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
panvendetta – sore loser