Reply #130: Most posters here are NOT calling for getting out of Afghanistan

[karynnj]

They are favoring the Biden counter terrorism approach over a possibly impossible national counter insurgency approach. The counter terrorism approach concentrates on preventing Afghanistan from becoming a haven for Al Qaeda. The counter insurgency approach aims to change the culture in Afghanistan and prevent the Taliban from ever returning.

The fact is that Obama's 2008 rhetoric - which owed a lot to John Kerry - is not inconsistent with either of the two alternatives - especially if it is coupled with an international effort to provide non-military funds and assistance to build infrastructure. (I actually hope that Hillary Clinton will switch to that position.)