Experts question US troop drawdown

On Wednesday, President Barack Obama made a televised address announcing the complete withdrawal of US surge troops from Afghanistan by next summer.  In his 13-minute primetime speech, President Obama made it clear that he did not intend to follow the Pentagon’s suggestion of a slower drawdown.  While significant gains have been made against the Taliban since a troop surge was implemented in December 2009, some contend the speedy exit will embolden the group, which has a strong support base in Afghanistan. However Obama said, “"We can see the tide is turning. The Taliban are under pressure. The Afghan security forces are getting stronger every day. And the transition to Afghan security lead is on track to be completed in 2014." Since the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden last month, domestic questions have been raised about the war, and reports have recently surfaced that the US is supporting reconciliation talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. The President’s speech is drawing mixed reactions. While some are comparing the speech to former US President George W. Bush’s famous “Mission Accomplished” address, some experts believe that Obama could achieve a political victory in Afghanistan through his strategy. Defense Secretary Robert Gates supports the plan, saying it "provides our commanders with enough resources, time and, perhaps most importantly, flexibility to bring the surge to a successful conclusion." Gareth Price, Senior Fellow at the London-based think tank Chatham House, is encouraged by the news that the US is in talks with the Taliban. “If some sustainable political agreement could be forged with the Taliban, President Obama will be able to say that the job is done. That is the job of preventing Afghanistan being used as a safe haven by international terrorists.” Not all of the international community is expected to be pleased with the decision.  Xenia Dormandy, an expert in US foreign affairs, suspects the decision was made unilaterally. “This was not a debate embarked on with other nations with troops in Afghanistan. It did not appear to even involve the Afghan Government. And, while it is likely that all these governments were informed of the US decision before Obama's speech, it is fairly clear that they did not have a say in it.” Despite the UK’s decision to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by 2015, Foreign Minister William Hague made a statement Wednesday, reiterating Britain’s strong commitment to Afghanistan. “By 2015, there will be no UK troops in Afghanistan in combat roles, but we will continue to work closely with the Afghan Government and people for many years to come.” More than 1,600 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan since the start of the war 10 years ago. 65,000 troops will still be in Afghanistan when Obama seeks reelection in 2010.