The title of this MSNBC article is "Obama wants exit strategy in Afghanistan; He says a comprehensive approach (and) not just military action is needed". This is a dramatic shift in policy and strategy. In justifying the drawdown in Iraq, the president argued that US troops need to step up in the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Why is he changing course so suddenly?

The president said: "What we can't do is think that just a military approach in Afghanistan is going to be able to solve our problems. So what we're looking for is a comprehensive strategy. AND THERE'S GOT TO BE AN EXIT STRATEGY. There's got to be a sense that this is not perpetual drift". In justifying the drawdown in Iraq, President Obama argued that more troops were needed to fight a resurgent al-Qaeda and Taliban in Afghanistan so...is he going back on his word?

As far as Iraq is concerned, "It's easier terrain. You've got a better-educated population (and) infrrastructure to build off of. You don't have some of the destabilizing border issues that you have with Afghanistan and Pakistan". Mr. President, the infrastructure is indeed developing faster in Iraq, but the Taliban and al-Qaeda are more sophisticated and educated than the Iraqi insurgents.

Obama's Afghanistan strategy includes: "building economic capacity in Afghanistan, improving diplomatic efforts in Pakistan, bringing a more regional diplomatic to bear" "and coordinating more effectively with allies". None of these proposals will be easy to achieve. Specfifically, what, will "building economic capacity in Afghanistan" involve? Many Afghans are still either poor farmers or have to sell or manufacture illegal drugs such as opium in order to survive. Next, "improving diplomatic efforts in Pakistan" is even more complicated, especially given the tension between President Asif Ali Zardari and opposition leader Nawaz Sharif. Finally, "coordinating more effec tively with allies" may prove to be the biggest challenge of all. Considering that it took President Obama a considerable amount of time to listen to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, he will really have to work hard to convince LEADERS OF OTHER COUNTRIES.

Furthermore, Obama is still involved in some considerable 'Bush-bashing'. Specifically, according to MSNBC, "He (i.e. Obama) again took issue with former Vice-President Dick Cheney, who criticized the Obama administration for shutting down the Guantanamo Bay detention center and forbidding torture of (alleged) terrorist suspects. Cheney said such steps are making America weaker and more vulnerable to attack". The Republicans can only attack the Democrats on national security issues now. They have little else to offer/talk about.

About Cheney, Obama said "The facts don't bear him out. Let's assume we didn't change these practices. Are we going to just keep on going until... the entire Muslim world and Arab world despises us? Do we really think that's going to make us safer? I don't know a lot of thoughtful thinkers, liberal or conservative, who think that that was the right approach". Obama was singing the same song on Iraq (i.e. our troops can't stay there forever). However, here's the key issue: after our troops leave Afghanistan, if we adopt a rigid withdrawal timetable/schedule, with Osama bin Laden still on the run, will Afghans be motivated enough to go after him? Asking Pakistan to help out in this area, however, may be asking too much, because President Asif Ali Zardari and opposition leader Nawaz Sharif don't seem to be on the same page about anything right now. Also, Obama still cannot stop attacking the officials of the previous administration. Mr. President, we need to focus on the present and the future instead of blaming ex-officials and pointing fingers at someone and/or something that we can't change. That was the platform and promise we elected you on and now, you have to keep that promise.

Finally, Obama said "When I make a decision to send 17000 young Americans to Afghanistan, you can understand that intellectually, but understanding what that means for those families (and) for those young people when you end up sitting at your desk (and) signing a condolence letter to one of the family members of a fallen hero, you're reminded each and every day at every moment that the decisions you make count". The key thing is to let the generals do their jobs and balance the need to get the job done well and quickly with social responsibility to the families of all of our brave soldiers.