| Cheney Accuses Obama of Indecision on Afghanistan | |
| 22 October 2009 |
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has accused the Obama administration of endangering American troops in Afghanistan by being indecisive about the war strategy.
Speaking late Wednesday in Washington, Cheney said President Barack Obama appears "afraid" to make a decision regarding Afghanistan. He said signals of indecision hurt U.S. allies and embolden adversaries.
Cheney said the White House "must stop ditherin while America's armed forces are in danger."
President Obama recently held a series of lengthy meetings with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan. He has made clear he will not be rushed into a decision as he reviews the war strategy and considers a troop increase request from the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal.
Cheney also disputed an assertion made earlier this week by the president's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel said (on CNN) that the former Bush administration's policy was "adrift" for eight years, and that the Obama administration had been forced to start from scratch.
Cheney said Mr. Obama's strategy in Afghanistan announced in March bore a striking resemblance to a Bush administration review given to the Obama administration when it took office.
Cheney, who was vice president under President George W. Bush, also called President Obama's decision to abandon a Bush-era plan for a missile defense program in Europe a "strategic blunder and a breach of good faith."
The Obama administration says it plans to use a different system to defend against an anticipated missile threat from Iran.
Cheney also disputed an assertion made earlier this week by the president's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel said (on CNN) that the former Bush administration's policy was "adrift" for eight years, and that the Obama administration had been forced to start from scratch.
Cheney said Mr. Obama's strategy in Afghanistan announced in March bore a striking resemblance to a Bush administration review given to the Obama administration when it took office.
Cheney, who was vice president under President George W. Bush, also called President Obama's decision to abandon a Bush-era plan for a missile defense program in Europe a "strategic blunder and a breach of good faith."
The Obama administration says it plans to use a different system to defend against an anticipated missile threat from Iran.
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