Overview of Possible contentions:
Arguments for the Pro:
The surge will work:
Counter-narcotics - the Taliban’s financial power base is the drug trade
Battling Corruption – robs government of legitimacy and effectiveness
More troops to combat Taliban – help win war and defeat al-Qaeda
Train Afghan forces – they help fight Taliban and will eventually have to take over
Why the surge is in Americans best interest:
Regional Security – Afghanistan’s neighbor has nukes and if the Taliban take over they could destabilize already troubled Pakistan.
Terrorism – it will deny Al-Qaeda of a base of operations and training
center.
Global political standing - could be detrimental to our political power to not finish the job, makes the US look weak.
Arguments for Con:
The Surge will fail:
Afghan security forces – inept, corrupt, and few the ANFS are not trainable and untrustworthy.
Local populous – Tribal factions spread apart by mountains, will always drive the US out and will be angered by more troops.
Withdrawal date – Nothing can be completed in time frame given and fast pull out will result in loss of any progress
Why the Surge is bad for US Interests:
Military, political, and financial strain – The US military is overstretched, spending is already out of control, and the administrations political capital is already in high demand at home.
Regional instability – fast pull out could result in reversal of progress and the Taliban taking over. They could then threaten Pakistan, a nuclear nation, and cause instability in central Asia.
Terrorism – will only embitter and embolden Americans enemies who will seek a new base of operations to plot their counter-attack.
Both teams need to make sure they define Obama’s plan in a way that favors them AND state what are in America’s best interests.
The extensive follow up to this will be the first entry of The Debate Hub’s Mini-Brief series
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