Obama’s Afghan Withdrawal Must Be ‘Some Sort of Joke’: Guangzhou Daily, People’s Republic of China
Dec 11th, 2009 | 9 responses
Is there any reason to believe that American troops will begin leaving Afghanistan in 18 months, as President Obama announced last week? Or, as this surprisingly forthright article from China’s state-controlled Guangzhou Daily asserts, was this just an eloquent rhetorical fig leaf to hide the fact that America won’t leave anytime soon? Implying shamelessness on Obama’s part, Columnist Dong Fangsi offers us his Beijing-approved strategic analysis.
From China’s state-run Guangzhou Daily, Dong Fangsi writes in part:
“This matter is deeply humorous and ironic. Under the banner of peace, Obama became U.S. president. With no real achievements just a few months later, he inexplicably won the Nobel Peace Prize. Then no sooner had he criticized George W. Bush’s “love of war” than he goes Bush a step further by announcing an increase in troops. As for his election, while campaigning he promised to withdraw troops within 90 days of taking office, and withdraw from Iraq completely by 2010. As if they never really existed, all of these turned out to be like wisps of smoke disappearing on the horizon.
“Thus, when announcing the troop surge, Obama said that the withdrawal from Afghanistan would “start” in 2011, which can only be seen as some sort of joke. What does “start” actually mean? How many people will genuinely constitute a withdrawal? These questions require much more information to answer; while Obama has too much eloquence. This seems like another of those rhetorical inconsistencies he’s made since entering office. When things come to a head he has the skill to calmly mediate, speaking with perfect eloquence and without shame.”
By Dong Fangsi
Translated by Jimmy Chow
December 4, 2009
People’s Republic of China – Guangzhou Daily – Original Article (Chinese)
This matter is deeply humorous and ironic. Under the banner of peace, Obama became U.S. president. With no real achievements just a few months later, he inexplicably won the Nobel Peace Prize. Then no sooner had he criticized George W. Bush’s “love of war” than he goes Bush a step further by announcing an increase in troops. As for his election, while campaigning he promised to withdraw troops within 90 days of taking office, and withdraw from Iraq completely by 2010. As if they never really existed, all of these turned out to be like wisps of smoke disappearing on the horizon.
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9 Responses to “Obama’s Afghan Withdrawal Must Be ‘Some Sort of Joke’: Guangzhou Daily, People’s Republic of China”
I don't know if it makes me communist, but I agree with a lot in this article, but only after most of the Vietnam stuff is redacted. But, I guess, I IMHO, can praise O on his gutsy Af/Pak stance while bashing him on accepting the Peace prize. He is starting to befuddle me when he screws up one minute and the next acts like a statesman. I take this as a good sign, since I hope he is evolving and will improve, at least as far as I, a registered Rep., am concerned.
Well, Indeed there is nothing to disagree….Since Obama was elected he has backtracked on every promise that helped him to become the voter's choice
Well, Indeed there is nothing to disagree….Since Obama was elected he has backtracked on every promise that helped him to become the voter's choice
Well, Indeed there is nothing to disagree….Since Obama was elected he has backtracked on every promise that helped him to become the voter's choice
Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it. This appears to be a complete repeat of the 1960s, as the U.S. expanded its war efforts in Vietnam.
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Depends on the political environment. Thats why I didn't concern myself with all the announced timeline thought. Reality will dictate decisions not public speeches. What you plan to do and what is feasible aren't always connected. What a politician promises the people and what he delivers are even less so.
Yes indeed. As politicians learn in Politicians 101, careful you don't slip on your own bull_____.
Not everything. He said AF/Pak was a war of necessity and did not reverse. Be fair.
(Of course he also hasn't had a veto chance for all the that pork stuff yet.)