Phyllis Bennis discussed her analysis of President Obama’s Afghanistan escalation speech in a conference call with community activists Thursday afternoon.
Links to her published analysis of the speech was included in another entry here earlier this morning.
The one-hour conference call, sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, discussed the new Obama Administration strategy in Afghanistan and ways the peace movement can respond.
It included Bennis’ presentation (about 40 minutes), brief updates from AFSC staff working on issues of peace and justice, and a discussion of organizing strategies aimed at ending U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan.
A recording of the conference call is now available online. Just click on that link to listen to the discussion. There are also links provided to additional information and resources.
Bennis, early in her presentation, reminded listeners that the majority of Americans do not favor this war.
“We are the majority”, she says.
59% believe the war is wrong and should be ended.
28% believe all U.S. troops should be out immediately.
Another 31% belive at least some troops should be brought out immediately.
She also noted the irony of the time of this war speech, coming just a day before the “jobs summit”.
The reality is that the cost of this escalation and the cost of maintaining the already existing war effort will suck available funds away from things like jobs for here at home.
“People are being told, if you want a job, join the military,” Bennis said.
In terms of omissions, Bennis notes that Obama did not mention the word “India”, certainly a key factor in any discussion of the politics of the region. The president didn’t identify an exit strategy. Didn’t discuss the escalation of U.S. attacks within Pakistan or reports that the CIA budget is being increased to boost those “covert” actions further.
In any case, it’s quite an interesting overview of the outstanding issues.
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Ian, that was a very nice article about Meda in the Star-Bulletin. Great plug for her books and sympathy for the plight of the faculty at UH.
You should have that article framed for her office. That was also a good photo of her. But her desk! my my. Talk about cluttered…
The US can’t just kick down the door, oust whoever is running a country and simply leave.
When it got itself involved in Iraq and Afghanistan, it entered into a long-term commitment from which it cannot turn its back.
When the US flattened Germany and Japan, it remained in place to build those countries back up. Similarly, we’re obligated to rebuild what we’ve wrecked, and ensure stability to countries whose political structure were radically changed by our intervention.
When GW Bush ordered tanks and planes to cross those borders, the welfare of those countries became our responsibility. And now Obama’s stuck with it.
The best option is to clean up the mess as quickly as possible and get out. That takes enough manpower on the ground, more equipment, and an adequate supply of materials.
Yes, inspiring article about Meda in Friday’s StarBulletin. Impressive!