Afghanistan... I'm Lost, Too, Mr. Gelb

The Wall Street Journal is befuddled over President Obama's recent statements about Afghanistan--namely, that he, the President, is unsure about strategy in Afghanistan now that General McChrystal has asked for 40,000 more troops. The general warns that without these troops, the war in Afghanistan will fail.

Previously, President Obama stated, "The United States has a vital national security interest in addressing the current and potential security threats posed by extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Pakistan, al Qaeda and other groups of jihadist terrorists are planning new terror attacks. Their targets remain the U.S. homeland...Therefore, the core goal of the U.S. must be to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda." Go read his speech at http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Afghanistan-Pakistan_White_Paper.pdf

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204488304574426812788385256.html

Now, Mr. Obama says he's not sure. He's still "working through that strategy." And he questions, "(Are we) pursuing the right strategy?"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2009/09/21/AR2009092103086_pf.html

I don't know, Mr. President--Are We Pursuing the Right Strategy? I mean, you're the commander-in-chief. You knew the right strategy just a few weeks ago when you again stressed your committment to Afghanistan. Why are you backing out now? Do you want to lose? Do you wish to endanger our troops?

Do you want to paint a big red bulls-eye on America?

Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned, "I don't think there's a great deal of support for sending more troops to Afghanistan in the country or in the Congress" i.e., no more troops! The Democratic head of the Appropriations Committee has also expressed his "nervousness" about sending more troops. See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/10/pelosi-upping-troops-to-a_n_282210.html

This is after Speaker Pelosi's remarks in March 2009, (quote) "I support President Obama's comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President’s plan is the result of a detailed study and is wisely centered on dismantling al Qaeda and denying safe havens in both Afghanistan and Pakistan to those who would attack the United States. This strategy recognizes a point that I have emphasized for years." http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?m=200903

Okay, so what's the deal here? I'm lost.