Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Biden defends Afghan war strategy
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Biden defends Afghan war strategy
AFP - Tuesday, July 6
Send
IM Story
Print
Biden defends Afghan war strategy
WASHINGTON (AFP) - – US Vice President Joe Biden urged Afghan leaders to "get in the game" on Monday as he issued a robust defense of America's under-fire war strategy.
Almost nine years after the US-led invasion, the conflict is at a critical juncture as President Barack Obama pours in tens of thousands more troops to try to break the back of a fierce Taliban insurgency.
Obama's decision to accompany the military surge with a July 2011 target date for beginning a US withdrawal has been criticized as wrong-headed and an invitation to the Taliban to stick it out and wait for them to leave.
But Biden suggested the president had chosen the correct strategy as it rightly puts the onus on Afghan President Hamid Karzai to step up to the plate, root out corruption and train up his own national police and army.
"You have got get in the game. We're not here forever. We cannot want the security of your country more than you want it," Biden urged during a trip to Iraq, where he was trying to persuade squabbling leaders to form a government.
His comments to MSNBC came the day after General David Petraeus formally took over command of the Afghan war. His predecessor was sacked by Obama for a scathing interview in which Biden was mocked and referred to as "Bite Me!"
General Stanley McChrystal's remarks about the vice president and other senior members of Obama's administration were seen as sowing division between the war's civilian and military leadership.
But Biden insisted on Monday that Obama and his generals were united, saying: "The president's strategy is General Petraeus's strategy, the defense department's strategy, and a unified strategy."
He described the endgame in the war launched to oust the Taliban and destroy Al-Qaeda as: "To provide enough time and space for the Afghan government to be able to generate enough force that they can thwart those they cannot reconcile with."
Karzai has repeatedly called on Taliban and other insurgent groups to lay down their arms for a reconciliation which would include protection for their leaders currently being hunted by international forces.
After months of discord and worsening relations since Karzai's flawed re-election last year, Obama and the Afghan leader made an effort to present a united front during a summit in Washington in May.
Last December, Obama announced he was sending an extra 30,000 soldiers to Afghanistan in an effort to regain the upper hand against a resurgent Taliban, and said he would begin withdrawing from the country in mid-2011.
Despite assurances from Obama -- reiterated Sunday by Petraeus -- that the change of command does not mean a change in strategy, the general has already hinted some tweaks could be in the air.
Troops have complained that McChrystal's "courageous restraint" rule, aimed at minimizing civilian casualties, prevents them from properly defending themselves -- thus contributing to the spike in casualties.
A total of 102 foreign soldiers died in June, almost triple the May toll and far outstripping the previous highest monthly figure of 77 in August.
As casualties mount, opinion polls show the war is becoming more and more unpopular at home and criticism from Obama's political opponents is intensifying.
Leading Republican senator and Vietnam War hero John McCain slammed the July 2011 target for beginning to pull US troops out of Afghanistan.
"I know enough about warfare," said McCain, who was a prisoner-of-war for five-and-a-half years. "If you tell the enemy that you're leaving on a date certain, unequivocally, then that enemy will wait until you leave."
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Pakistan end their Australia losing streak AFP - 58 minutes ago
EU eyes visa-free travel for Taiwan visitors AFP - 2 hours 37 minutes ago
Thailand seeks extension to emergency rule AFP - Tuesday, July 6
Pakistan kills wanted Taliban commander AFP - Tuesday, July 6
China deploys troops for Xinjiang riot anniversary AFP - Tuesday, July 6
News Search
Top Stories
Clinton vows support for Georgia, slams Russian 'occupation'
Greece on target to tackle deficit
Tour peloton shrugs of cobblestone worry
Lower German deficit an example for Europe: Berlin
BP oil spill costs spike above $3 bln
More Top Stories »
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Reclusive top mathematician turns down prize, again
Japanese probe yields insights into Moon's inner life
Lady Gaga leads race to get 10 million on Facebook
Paris Hilton arrested after Brazil World Cup match: reports
Awesome Nadal crushes Berdych to win Wimbledon
More Most Viewed »
Reclusive top mathematician turns down prize, again
Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts'
Amputee cat gets bionic legs
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
Who's right - the dolphin or the octopus?
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 6 July 2010 Factbox
Greece on target to tackle deficit
Turkey wants Israel apology but Israel rejects demand
UK coalition launches shake-up of political system
|
Thousands mass near Gaza border for Shalit concert
Clinton vows support for Georgia, slams Russian 'occupation'
Bosnian ex-leader fights extradition attempt in Britain
Iran says planes denied fuel due to sanctions
Kyrgyz leader warns of new unrest
Britain, Germany, UAE deny refusing fuel to Iran planes
Tour peloton shrugs of cobblestone worry
Iranian planes can still refuel in Dubai: airport spokesman
EU parliament group backs U.S. bank data deal
|
Biden defends Afghan war strategy
US commander Petraeus 'may tweak Afghan strategy'
Guinea security forces break march with tear gas
|
Three NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Mexico state votes signal tough 2012 election race
|
Iran says Germany, UK and UAE refuse fuel to its planes
France won't charge reporters, aid workers for rescue
|
Romanian military aircraft crash kills 10
|
EU eyes visa-free travel for Taiwan visitors
Israelis, Palestinians call for prisoner exchange
|
Pakistan end their Australia losing streak
Thailand seeks extension to emergency rule
Clinton concerned over Russian bases in Georgia region
Pakistan kills wanted Taliban commander
Chinese court sentences US geologist to 8 years
Galliano sends out a 'Wonderland' garden of couture for Dior
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Louis Gossett details career marred by racism and drugs
"Hannah Montana" starts final season as Miley moves on
"Twilight" sequel eclipsed by earlier installment
Woody Allen starts Paris shoot with Carla in the wings
Japanese eating champ released after hot dog scuffle
Senegal's men win Soccer v Soaps television war
Twilight sequel eclipsed by earlier installment
|
Hannah Montana starts final season as Miley moves on
|
Louis Gossett details career marred by racism and drugs
|
Reports of planes denied refuelling are 'false': Iran
India's poor risk 'slow death' recycling 'e-waste'
Iranian planes are getting fuel
Ecuador says Colombia's Santos could be arrested
|
Argentina claims victory on bond deal
US-TECH Summary
Afghanistan urges Pakistan to target terror groups
Digital upstarts still see potential in downloads
Obama and Netanyahu to hold fence-mending talks
Iranian planes are getting fuel: foreign ministry
|
Fujitsu to let developers test software for free-Nikkei
4.2 billion dollars have left Kabul airport: report
News Corp in talks to sell ads on MySpace: report
McCain: Kandahar is key to victory in Afghan war
Cuban hunger striker says he is near death
|
Israelis and Palestinians call for prisoner exchange
Thailand extends emergency rule in Bangkok: govt
Twelve die as Turkish troops clash with PKK
|
Firebombs thrown at Indonesian magazine offices
New death in restive Indian Kashmir: police
Japan PM in danger of missing election target: report
|
Greenpeace publicises companies on Indonesia paper
Celebrations as Dalai Lama turns 75
Vietnam murders blamed on World Cup
Aussie rockers to pay for 'Kookaburra' rip-off
Warmer White House welcome expected for Netanyahu
Australia plans to ship refugees to Timor
Power outage hits Toronto during Queen's visit
Japan parties pin poll hopes on celebrities
Philippine police say Chinese man rescued
Clinton vows support for Georgia, slams Russian 'occupation'
Eating champ leaves NY jail after hot dog fracas
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Fujitsu to let developers test software for free
|
Google, Bing search engines turn to music
|
Digital upstarts still see potential in downloads
|
China sets new record investment in Japan bonds
News Corp in talks to sell ads on MySpace: report
|
Greenpeace names, shames companies over deforestation
Seoul shares turn up 0.6 pct on autos, techs
Disney may start Shanghai park work in Nov: report
China to pump billions into western regions
Chinese city to become next gourmet hotspot
S.Lanka dismisses EU's trade concession withdrawal
China may strip sovereign wealth fund of bank stakes
Google, Bing search engines turn to music
Taiwan's Chinatrust: still seeks AIG unit stake
Enrique Iglesias mixes things up with new album
Restrictive Lollapalooza contract draws state scrutiny
PAKISTAN
S.Korea Q2 FDI plans down 6 pct y/y
Extraordinary "Inception" may leave you exhausted
Queen Elizabeth tours Toronto film studio
Fresh faces, new-look veterans enter Emmy spotlight
Barber of Seville director leaves La Scala production
Fresh faces, new-look veterans enter Emmy spotlight
|
Extraordinary Inception may leave you exhausted
|
Restrictive Lollapalooza contract draws state scrutiny
|
Google, Bing search engines turn to music
|
Enrique Iglesias mixes things up with new album
|
New Twilight sequel trails previous film overseas
|
Queen Elizabeth tours Toronto film studio
|
Israeli soldier faces manslaughter charges over Gaza deaths
Lauvergeon stays in power at nuclear group Areva
Iran says planes get fuel; EU bans some for safety
|
Global chip sales up 4.5 percent in May versus April: SIA
Sarkozy facing crisis over campaign donations
Iran agrees to resume nuclear talks, with conditions
Obama and Netanyahu to hold fence-mending talks
|
Ryanair, Aer Lingus lose appeals in takeover battle
Dutch cabinet advisors ban Twitter during talks
Spain's FM in Cuba as hunger-striker nears death
New sanctions seen hurting Iran businesses in Dubai
Sri Lanka hardliners protest U.N. war crimes probe
|
Netflix inks movie deal with Relativity Media
Chavanel in yellow as Schlecks, Armstrong crash
Bus driver 'shoots dead six near Cairo'
China denounces new unilateral U.S. sanctions on Iran
|
Polish PM vows to work closely with new president
|
Egyptian driver shoots dead six labourers
Thai government extends state of emergency
|
Turkish troops clash with PKK, 13 killed
Hundreds of thousands mourn Lebanon's Fadlallah
|
Global chip sales up 4.5 percent in May versus April: SIA
Yemen faces Qaeda, pirate threats in vital strait
|
Israeli and Turkish generals still talking amid row
|
Putin sets out new strategy for N.Caucasus
|
Thai government extends state of emergency
Philippine Supreme Court gets on Facebook, Twitter
China says jailing of U.S. geologist its own affair
Japan's NHK won't air sumo meet over mob scandals
Netflix inks movie deal with Relativity Media
|
Global chip sales up 4.5 percent in May versus April: SIA
|
Dutch cabinet advisors ban Twitter during talks
|
At Sun Valley, brighter moods may not mean big deals
|
IMF says time is right for higher S.Korea policy rate
Canadian rockers Arcade Fire maintain DIY mystique
New "Twilight" sequel trails previous film overseas
Pakistani rupee falls to record low; stocks still dull
Sluggish Asian markets revive on Shanghai rebound
DEALTALK-MBK's $2 bln Taiwan auction may have broader PE impact
S.Korea govt official sees August rate rise -report
S.Korea c.bank to sell 2.5 trln won in MSB on Wed
Seoul shares turn up 0.6 pct on auto, tech issues
George Michael arrested after car crash
|
Canadian rockers Arcade Fire maintain DIY mystique
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights