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December 1, 2009
Exclusive: ‘Couplegate’ Overshadows Pending Decision on Afghanistan
Presidential Policy: Does It Make the Grade?, James Jay Carafano, PhD
Most of the attention on Obama’s first State Dinner made the White House look pretty ridiculous, as an uninvited couple made their way past Secret Service security. Still, the dinner was an important occasion. Writes Heritage regional expert Lisa Curtis:
President Barack Obama welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today with an emphasis on the continuing value of a partnership carefully developed over the last two American Administrations. President Obama referred to India as a "rising and responsible" power and encouraged India's role in helping to shape the political and security environment in Asia. Both leaders also emphasized their common commitment to democratic values such as individual freedom, rule of law, and religious pluralism as a basis for stronger cooperation.
Signaling better ties with India was a good move on the President’s part. Curtis concludes,
“President Obama rightly took advantage of an opportunity to reaffirm ties to India and recognize the U.S.-India partnership as one of the ‘defining partnerships of the 21st century.’ The two countries now need to follow through on their leaders' pronouncements on a range of issues including education, trade, health, energy, defense, nuclear nonproliferation, space, and the environment.”
Most of the attention on Obama’s foreign and national security policy, however, focused on anticipating the President’s final decision on Afghanistan strategy. Obama will announce his decision tonight. It is inexcusable that the President has taken this long to make a decision. Given that he has been in office over 10 months; the many months Gen. McChrystal has been in theatre; and the critical situation on the ground, the delay has put the mission in graver jeopardy and left American lives unnecessarily at risk.
FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., is a leading expert in defense affaires, intelligence, military operations and strategy, and homeland security at the Heritage Foundation.
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