US President Barack Obama’s decision to set a deadline for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan was a mistake as it sent out wrong signals to the people on the ground – both allies and enemies – an influential senator Joe Lieberman has said. Lieberman, on a trip to the war-torn country, however said Obama’s motive while announcing a timeline was to send out a message that US troops would not stay in the country forever. “On balance, I think it was a mistake, because it sent a message to the Afghans, to the Taliban, to people in the neighbourhood that we are going to leave, regardless. At the same time, Lieberman noted: “With regard to the date of July 2011, which President Obama said was the date by which he would begin withdrawing troops, I understand why President Obama said that when he committed to Afghanistan and winning in Afghanistan last December. I think he did it so the Afghans wouldn’t think we would stay here forever.”
SENATOR ADMITS AFGHAN DEADLINE A MISTAKE
SENATOR ADMITS AFGHAN DEADLINE A MISTAKE
