My point of Obama's speech

On the evening of December1, President Obama made a speech about the Nation on the way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the famous US Military Academy at West Point. Obama made a deep analysis of the increasingly hostile environment in Afghanistan, the more and more severe terrorism and the potential threat. He conducted a detailed explanation for the necessity and urgency of troop increase for Afghanistan and expounded the amount of extra American troops sent to Afghanistan and the expected withdrawal timeline. He also announced the core strategies in fighting against Taliban and gave a detailed response to the most popular questions from all walks of life.

Undoubtedly, it is effective and necessary to do the adjustments to Afghanistan policy and proposal a new “surge” at this moment. Obama re-emphasized the importance of taking away the tools of mass destruction and illustrated the lofty ideal that helps the people all over the world to realize the dream of freedom. He expected to further strengthen the worldwide alliance for the common interests, reaffirmed the point that the US don’t want to be the world domination and expressed a desire of withdrawal as soon as possible so that US can focus on the recovery of US economics. To be honest, Obama’s speech is trying to meet the various needs in D.C. To satisfy the requirement of more troops in Afghanistan from the Republicans as well as to make the Democrats believe that the US tiring of the war will not let troops stay too long. He is trying to pacify the leaders of NATO, Afghanistan and Pakistan with the promise that the US will not give up the war effort. In the meanwhile, he also brings pressure to bear on those leaders to keep their words.

However, just as some scholars’ predictions, Obama might face maximum trust crisis since taking office. Although I trust Obama’s policy is a necessary preparation for the final withdrawing of troops in three years, the surge may ruffle the Democratic Party, weaken the original part of his power. It will take the President who received the Nobel Peace Prize a long time to fix his public image that the creator of peace

Besides, President Obama must keep in mind the lessons of Vietnam. There are some similarities between the war in Vietnam 40years ago and Afghanistan war today. The difference is that the US’ economics strength, resources and international status are less powerful than they were once, while the participations of international affairs are more often than before. The abyssal fund demand and the uncertain schedule for leaving Afghanistan are potential risk factors. America is likely to face an uncertain situation in three years so that Obama may face a more difficult decision at that time.

In addition, I have to doubt whether US and his allies will achieve the goal of completely disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The facts have proven that the longer the troops of USA and his allies stay in Islamic nations, the more terrorists produced than killed. In my point of view, the Afghan government must negotiate with the Taliban and even provide appropriate placements. Even though, I still call into question the possibility of defeating Taliban. If the terrorists know that western countries be about to withdraw one day, their inner force will be prepared for that moment. That is the disquieting thing.