Obama's Strategic Vision

washingtonpost.com     Jul 23, 2008            

Wednesday, July 23, 2008; Page Maybe the symbolism of Barack Obama giving a major speech this week at Berlin's Victory Column -- a 19th-century monument to Prussia's military triumphs -- isn't as incongruous at it might seem. After all, it was Frederick the Great -- the 18th-century Prussian monarch who transformed his kingdom into the dominant German state -- who once advised his generals, "He who would defend everything ends up defending nothing." You can't deploy everywhere in strength, Frederick was saying, and that's a lesson Obama seems to understand a lot better than John McCain does. At a news conference in Jordan yesterday, Obama reiterated his belief that Afghanistan, not Iraq, is "the central front in the war against terrorism" and that confronting that reality requires drawing down the number of U.S. forces... [read full story]                    


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(anonymous) - Jul 19, 2008 7:20:51 PM
Why is Barack Obama in Afghanistan ? Are politics that important ? That you have to put your life on the line, to prove to the world, or mostly the American public, that by visiting Afghanistan, you'll leave there with more knowledge of war and be a better Commander in Chief. C'mon... I find it a little reckless and disturbing that *Senator* Barack Obama has been egged on to travel to the Middle East and put his life and the future of America, in danger. petes2cents.com
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(anonymous) - Jul 20, 2008 10:56:15 AM
Obama is in Afghanistan because politics is important indeed. Obama is not putting his life on the line by visiting Afghanistan. The location and circumstance of Obama's visit is probably less dangerous than a walk in some places in D.C. area. Senators running for presidents do have to travel to visit the sites of world's events.
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(anonymous) - Jul 20, 2008 4:42:43 AM
I hope Obama is neutral when dealing with internation issues. all the best www.w3daily.com
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(anonymous) - Jul 21, 2008 12:44:16 PM
"Mr Obama - who voted against the March 2003 war to topple Saddam Hussein" He was elected to the United States Senate in November of 2004, which means he took office in January of 2005.
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(anonymous) - Jul 22, 2008 7:32:21 PM
I know that the Iraqi's wish to the American's to withdraw within 16 months, and Obama will do it. However what about the enemy, or rather enemies? Has Osama agreed to 16 months, what about the factions in Iraq? I'm sure if they all agree, it will be done. Without their trusted word that the fighting will end, this is all smoke and mirrors.
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(anonymous) - Jul 25, 2008 5:21:36 AM
Obama goes ballistic above the clouds to avoid too many questions that he get no answer to give. He would like to reducing everything to his personal ambition and career
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(anonymous) - Jul 17, 2008 9:43:36 AM
If Obama were elected, he would not retreat from Baghdad as fast as his rhetorics indicate. Obama would soon realize what the reality is like and pull forces back over a long period of time. All Americans who expect the troops to come home right away are dreamers. That is not the way politics and warfare work.
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(anonymous) - Jul 17, 2008 11:11:22 AM
I think a visit to Baghdad is a step to the right direction. Obama must see for himself. Although Baghdad is very much different from the rest of the country, it is much better to experience Baghdad live than to contemplate about this distant place from the warmth of one's office. Obama should visit as many other Iraqi place as possible.
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(anonymous) - Jul 25, 2008 4:14:14 PM
Situations change, and Bush is changing with them. Remember Japan in 1942. Remember Germany at the same time. Remember England in 1776. Bush may or may not be the brightest light on the block, but I believe he has the best interest of our country at stake. The same is true for Obama and McCain. Perhaps it is the Office of the President that makes it so. On the other hand, the members of Congress, (and Obama and McCain when they put their senatorial hats on), act in selfish, localized ways. They (meaning most all of Congress), are involved in getting money for their districts/states. We need two types of leadership: The press that asks good questions instead of spending their time digging up quotes from years ago and finding out "conflicts". Congress that looks out for our country as a whole. Congratulations to Obama for his "world" tour and to his success. Congratulations to McCain for proving that the future is not left only to the youth. Congratulations to Bush for recognizing that people(and countries) change.
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