First Door on the Left

I never said we would agree on everything. I am most definitely not on board with this…

Obama informs top diplomatic, military officials of Afghan decision

Washington (CNN) — President Obama has informed several top diplomatic and military officials about his decision regarding new U.S. strategy and troop levels in Afghanistan, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday.

Obama called Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday to tell her about his decision, Gibbs said. The president later met in the Oval Office with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, top U.S. Middle East military commander Gen. David Petraeus and White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, among others.

Obama also informed his top military commander in Afghanistan — Gen. Stanley McChrystal — and Karl Eikenberry, the U.S. ambassador to Kabul.

Obama gave orders to implement the new strategy during the Oval Office meeting, Gibbs said.

On Tuesday, Obama will travel to West Point, New York, to announce his decision on a request by McChrystal for up to 40,000 additional troops.

Obama is expected to send more than 30,000 U.S. troops and seek further troop commitments from NATO allies as part of a counterinsurgency strategy to wipe out al Qaeda elements and stabilize the country while training Afghan forces.

Gibbs said the president’s West Point speech will explain why the United States is involved in Afghanistan, the new American mission in the war-torn country and the process that led to Obama’s decision.

It should be an interesting speech.

I hope President Obama isn’t thinking that this will gain him any support from the war mongers on the right. It won’t.