Selfless Sacrifice

The Congress, by constitutional rights, have the legislative power to declare war on a different nation, but in past U.S. warfare history, it has done only five times. In the times of national crisis, an emergency that demands swift response from the federal government, the our presidents, bestowed with the War Powers Act establish in 1973 during the Vietnam war, can prompt war without congressional consent for 60 days. And the presidents weren't shy to command such rise up in the time of need. America's iconic figure of political clout and success, also as a dependable ally and aegis of the citizens, the speech of the Presidents engenders national unity and comfort for the battalion troops and the homestead citizens. Such is the case with the President Obama's speech in D.C. on The Washington Post.

President Obama, in his acknowledgement to his audience and on behalf of the civilians and military personnel involved in the Afghan war, opened up with a general status report on the outstate war campaign. The "new strategy" he points out is what caught my attention, seemingly simple yet effective as long as the other ends meets its cost. It involves the idea of gradually, and eventually, pushing the responsibilities and garnering the Afghan nation to be manageable and cooperative, basically self-capable of bringing its forces and intelligence to a level where U.S. and NATO wouldn't have to worry about Al Quaeda and its spawning franchise of violent terrorist groups hiding in the safeguard of the regions of Afghan and Pakistan.

Since september 11, 2003 U.S. and NATO, with other nations, have launched a series of operations to battle aginst the dangers of terrorism sperading through the armed, multi-national, extremist group, namely Al Quaeda, founded by Osama Bin Laden. It is still unbeknownst to us whether he is still alive and and on the run but the federal intelligence denotes to his infrequent video messages to his survival in the safehavens of his muslim advocates, and trying their best to root him out. The threat is still hiding and waiting for retaliation like thieves in the night, and we want rid of it. But the mounting costs and number of troops sent to hostile grounds are formidable and citizens are getting tired of the war.

In response, President Obama announces this new comprehensive and smarter strategy to zoom in on the war without overhauling resources. The common enemy is quartering and moving throughout the clandestine regions of Afghan/Pakistan, so the president plans to integrate civillian and military effort with the international allignance with the NATO nations and most importantly, support of the Pakistan democracy with the infrastructure, medical services, and education offered by the U.S., specifically and gradually assimilating them and coaxing them out of extremism of the Sunni ideology and bring relief to the violence-infested areas in the aftermath of the war. It is a costly payment, and the taxpayers will express dissent in a already deteriorating economy, but such level of commitment is required to reach this goal.

The other part of the "comprehensive strategy" quote, "we and our friends and allies must reverse the Taliban's gains and promote a more capable and accountable Afghan government." An obvious but complicated and obscure task that is no easy task. But this is such a necessary step to make long-term goals plausible, which is ultimately suppressing the terrorist groups and taking our troops back, by making their government capable to withstand and counter internal conflicts and manage to oversee the adversary's movements. This is the plan that will allow returning resources and impose responsibility for the Afghan as well, again quote, "we will prepare Afghans to take responsibility for their security and how we will, ultimately, be able to bring our own troops home."

The burdens of the citizens and military are heavy but the national security is at stake. To borrow the president's words, "We cannot turn a blind eye to the corruption that causes Afghans to lose faith in their own leaders." and "there will also be no peace without reconciliation among former enemies." These are true words that exhorts people to contribute support into the hopeful conclusion of this costly war and unyield to the justice that the American society believes in. Sacrifices have been made, and will continue to spill blood as the time of conflict ensues, but the commitment is shared and in the remembrance of those lost and girding the cause, the "selfless sacrifice" will be upheld to fight and defend America.

Source:
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/obama-speeches/speech/40/