U.S. Marine Gen. James Conway, told reporters that the withdrawal date set for July 2011 has given a morale boost to Taliban insurgents who now believe they can simply wait out NATO forces. In his words, "giving our enemy sustenance," Conway revealed the U.S. has intercepted communication of Taliban insurgents telling each other that they only need to hold out for so long.
As a natural-born skeptic, I initially believed President Obama's decision to set a timeline for withdrawal from Afghanistan was purely political, intended to win favor with the Democratic Party (and he calculated correctly). Unfortunately, anyone who’s ever had a bad boss, worked for a weak middle manager, or even had a bad marriage knows what it means when the ‘bad person’ has been given notice (fired, transferring to another division, or divorce date set), all you have to do is wait. Wait until "they" are gone. Then you can carry on normally. Imposing a deadline for withdrawal means essentially the same thing for the extremist terror cells of the Taliban and Al Qaeda who are financially strong enough to wait it out; thanks to Pakistan and Iran. Setting a deadline for withdrawal does not to benefit the security interests of the American people.
LittleBirdie’s prediction: the Obama administration, at the advice of military advisors, will soon recognize the damage setting a timeline has had on U.S. strategy. The U.S. will NOT withdraw from Afghanistan next July. The Obama administration will begin back peddling, but only after the November elections.
Why, oh why, LittleBirdie, would you say such a thing? Because I’ve seen such a thing. Obama has broken many promises. http://www.politifact.com/... In fact, I’m wholly unimpressed with this administration.
When they ask, "How’d you know?" tell ‘em a LittleBirdie told ya.