Battle Lines Drawn?

" Growing signs of tension between the White House and its top US commander in Afghanistan after the eight years of war there. General Stanley -- been pushing for tens of thousands more troops in Afghanistan saying without them the war -- will likely result in failure. General my crystal has been publicly campaigning for his plan and that seems to be -- some in the Obama administration the wrong way. White House National Security Adviser James Jones implying this weekend the general needs to keep quiet."

" Ideally it's better for military advice -- come up through -- the chain of command. And and I think. So -- Kristol -- and the others in the chain of command will present. The president --"

" Not just one option. Now Lisa Curtis senior research fellow at -- parentage foundation she's a former senior adviser of the State Department and Sally yeah. Also joining us Andy Johnson former Senate Intelligence Committee staff director and third -- national security program director. He has 26 years of national security experience in congress. And the federal government and -- what what about the remarks a general Kristol made -- in your --"

" Look general crystals. Definitely the right person for the job when the president announced -- strategy in March he knew that new leadership in Afghanistan was going to be necessary. General -- crystal did exactly where he was asked to do which was to prepare a report to consider. At the White House and within the Pentagon as to whether we should modify -- strategy. And right now we have a deliberative. Process to consider that. And if I was general -- crystal would I've gone it before the press last Thursday. Probably not but -- focus should be on the content of the report and how it's being considered and how that changes. From the policies of the past police say it's it's a little bit of a strange situation because here president Obama's sacked general -- and the guy who had. Had been running the Afghan war for only a year -- team in favor of general crystal. That my crystal comes did and -- he says here's what I need I need you know 3040000 more troops. And that the president at this point is balking I mean if if I'm the guy -- just taken the job running the war I'd be little upset that."

" Absolutely I think it raises several questions. I think the American public does deserve to hear from our top military commander on the ground. He should come back here he should testify before congress so we can have a genuine debate on our strategy for -- I think the real question is. Why is President Obama backtracking. Just six weeks after he said the war in Afghanistan was fundamental to the security of the American people. I think if he continues to be seen as trying to squelch his senior military. Commander on the ground -- teens teens and he's watching his. Views he will be perceived -- sacrificing a key national security issue for purely domestic political reasons."

" Yeah I mean -- how to explain it -- the -- and the president gave him the job but apparently doesn't like the advice. No not at all I take issue with this notion that he's been squelched to the contrary. His views were solicited disaster -- a clear ride hard hitting objective report he's done so. Now the question is are we gonna let politics. Either in congress or from the -- Dictate how this issue should be resolved when this a matter of life and death we've learned valuable lessons from the Iraq War. One of which is to not get ahead of the military commanders in the views of what is needed on the ground succeed and protect America. The last thing we need now is census reports being carefully considered. As for politics rear its ugly head once again police I mean in the human what it seems like is that is that you've got politics on trying to dictate real military strategy here I mean -- general has said what he wants what he needs. But the left of the Democratic Party is telling the President Obama no more troops you know bring them."

" Home. And yet I think we have to ask what has changed in the last six weeks to so drastically -- President Obama question. The mission in Afghanistan. And I think we've seen a death in American support for this war. We see democratic. Congressional members backing down on supporting more troops for the effort. So I think there is a political element here and some of the arguments frankly that General Jones made yesterday for why there was a reassessment. Just don't stand up to scrutiny. On the one hand he says they're questioning the strategy because general crystal has said the situation is worsening -- strengthening. But then -- almost the same breath. He says that. This situation does not -- the Talabani is returning to power there are so I think there's a bit of a contradiction there and it does show some weakness."

" Obviously the arguing is gonna go on the White House has yet to make a decision we will have you both back to talk about it as this process moves along. But Lisa thank you thank you both."