[S]enior White House officials challenged [McChrystal] over his dire assessment of the war, and what it will take to improve the U.S. position there, during a videoconference from Kabul with President Obama and his national security team. Obama then summoned McChrystal to Copenhagen the day after the general's speech for a private meeting aboard Air Force One.Well now, that's the spirit! If you don't like the answer given to you by your military advisor, then just tell him to go back to the drawing board and bring you a different answer--excuse me--alternative. The Administration has had its hands on McChrystal's report for weeks, yet it still has not figured out what to do with the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. Commiting more troops to the effort would be unpopular, but failing to commit more troops would mean the continued resurrection of the Taliban, the fall of the current government, and a renewed safe haven for al Qaeda.
Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," [Obama National Security Advisor James] Jones said he had not spoken to Obama since the president met with McChrystal. But he indicated that the Obama administration, facing the most far-reaching foreign policy decision of its time in office, expects McChrystal and his military superiors to broaden the range of alternatives for how best to proceed in Afghanistan as the strategy review unfolds over the coming weeks.
Will President Obama choose to lead, or will he cave in order to please his liberal base?
