Joint Chiefs Chairman Rejects Obama’s Assessment of Afghan War ‘Success’

Doesn't See How Obama Can Say Terror Won't Emerge From Afghanistan

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey openly disavowed President Obama’s recent speech claiming mission accomplished in Afghanistan, saying he didn’t see how Obama could say Afghanistan would never be a terrorist safe haven again.

Gen. Dempsey said he sees “pockets inside of Afghanistan that change hands from time to time,” and that the only way the US has a “chance to do exactly what the president said” is continuing the war.

Dempsey’s comments, like other Pentagon officials, centered around the idea that the wars need to be continued in the long run to really assure “success,” and lowering expectations for an actual victory.

Dempsey downplayed complaints about President Obama “micromanaging” the wars, insisting that the advice of top Pentagon leaders continues to drive policy decisions.

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.