Delayed Decision

" Administration officials now say a decision regarding US troop levels in Afghanistan is expected in early December. As the White House continues to weigh the gravity of the decision against conditions on the ground. Joining us now is lieutenant colonel Bob Maginnis and Aaron Miller a public policy fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center. Gentlemen thank you both for joining us Bob let me start with you but could please. A lot of discussion about whether or not we're taking the right approach here. A lot of military officials have given council that we need a certain number of troops in the region the president now seems prepared to pull back on that number your thoughts."

" saw the secondary issue and no more troops perhaps. O'Brien it depends on what you accomplish at the end state is to end this quickly get out of there and even chaos then they'll send more troops if you want to continue that the situation we have now where we're getting pretty high casualties. And you don't control most of the country. Then don't send more troops. But if in fact you wanna leave that place innate instinct that we can tolerate that's not going to. Savage Pakistan next door in the entire region and we really need to look at additional forces that are."

" They the policy decisions are are really important I mean this is -- probably one of the most important decision this -- your thoughts about it. Mean I think you have to be deliberative keeping in mind what Bob has said and the reality is and there's no -- mentality here we're in an investment for. In an angry dysfunctional region not just in Afghanistan and Pakistan with respect to Iran. And even the Arab Israeli issue. We're stuck. We can't fix these issues quickly or easily and therein lies that seems -- dilemma what our American national interest how we define. And what are the resources that we need in order to. To achieve our objectives. You organizing principle for any nation's foreign policy is the protection you home. If you can't protect your home and get -- off -- 9/11 was the second. Bloodiest day in American history exceeded only by wondering about Clemente in September at 62 so. The question then becomes what is the objective. Is it nation building in Afghanistan. Is it try to secure the internal politics of pockets Don. Or is -- trying to eliminate. True to the degree that we can Afghanistan from becoming stationary for a lot of people -- what you need to do here Bob is keep the pressure up overseas on on these terrorist organizations and and and people who would do the United States -- by keeping them marked by the overseas. You are keeping them away from Marshall."

" Well you certainly are and that's why you obviously we're. In Afghanistan helping the Pakistan needs. We have presence in Africa we have presents -- about 140 different countries so it's critical Bryant. You know if we don't want them to come to our own shores or at least have an overwhelming influence here. Then we have to find where they are over there and search and on the capture kill. And that's been our strategy from the very beginning. Parent is how much of this is being driven by the recommendations of the vice president Joe -- Making very --"

" Frankly I think this reflects two realities. Number one the president the United States both during the campaign and subsequently. Has defined. Afghanistan toward necessity. Number one he's locked himself and whatever course he -- and I suspect you'll agree on some number of troops whether it's 102030. We're crystals forty that's number one and number two by the genuinely. Difficult nature. Of the process of the problem how is he going to address the issue that's that I things -- gentlemen good discussion greatly --"