Avoiding Incrementalism in Afghanistan

Conn Carroll / April 02, 2009

In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday, head of U.S. Central Command Gen. David H. Petraeus disclosed that American commanders have requested the deployment of an additional 10,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan next year, but he said the request awaits a final decision by President Obama this fall.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) moved to question why President Barack Obama did not reveal this when he unveiled his Afghanistan strategy this past weekend: “To dribble out these decisions, I think, can create the impression of incrementalism,” he said.

“Incrementalism” is exactly what we cannot afford. Heritage analyst James Carafano explains why: (more…)