Curtain Call

Radhavinod Raju

The United States initiated three major operations since 9/11 attacks: Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; Operation Noble Eagle to provide enhanced security for US military bases and other critical infrastructure in the homeland; and Operation Iraqi Freedom that started in the latter half of 2002 with the build-up of troops for the March 2003 invasion of Iraq and continuing counter-insurgency and stability operations. According to Congressional Research Service publications, “...the cost of war continues to be a major issue including the total amount appropriated, the amount for each operation, average monthly spending rates, and the scope and duration of future costs.” The cumulative total appropriations for these war efforts since 9/11 work out to about USD 1.283 trillion, including about USD 806 billion for Iraq and about USD 444 billion for Afghanistan. According to Congressional estimates, approximately USD 6.7 billion are being spent in that country by the American tax-payer every month. According to Fareed Zakaria, 24 million Americans are unemployed or under employed and that is the crucial issue underlying all problems. With the Presidential elections fast approaching, this is going to be the greatest challenge for President Obama seeking re-election. The economy has once again taken centre stage post country-wide celebrations after the killing of Osama bin Laden. In this backdrop, can the United States continue to spend on the Afghan war, without counting the increasing number of body-bags, with no end in sight? While addressing the American people as President in March 2009, Obama said, “The future of Afghanistan is inextricably linked to the future of its neighbour, Pakistan. In the nearly eight years since 9/11, al Qaeda and its extremist allies have moved across the border to the remote areas of the Pakistani frontier. This almost certainly includes al Qaeda’s leadership: Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri. They have used this mountainous terrain as a safe-haven to hide, train terrorists, communicate with followers, plot attacks, and send fighters to support the insurgency in Afghanistan. For the American people, this border region has become the most dangerous place in the world...’

“As President, my greatest responsibility is to protect the American people… So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future. That is the goal that must be achieved. That is a cause that could not be more just. And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: we will defeat you...” The New York Times has described in some detail the President’s first review of the Afghanistan policy later that year. Some of the questions that Obama raised were — “Does America need to defeat the Taliban to defeat al Qaeda? Can a counter-insurgency strategy work in Afghanistan given the problems with its government? If the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, would nuclear-armed Pakistan be next?” After hearing all stakeholders, Obama, who had kept his views to himself, finally came up with his new strategy for Afghanistan.

According to the New York Times report, “When the history of the Obama presidency is written, that day… may prove to be a turning point, the moment a young commander in chief set in motion a high-stakes gamble to turn around a losing war. …Obama decided to send 30,000 troops mostly in the next si