NPR report on Afghanistan strategy echoes Sen. Levin on training Afghan forces

WASHINGTON, DC -- News today, Nov. 24, that President Obama plans to announce his new strategy for Afghanistan next week included statements by Obama quoted by National Public Radio (NPR) that recall a speech by Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., Chairman of the Senate Armed Service Committee, to the RAND Corporation's event "U.S. Policy in Afghanistan: Basic Questions, Strategic Choices," on Oct. 29, 2009.

The Nov. 24 NPR report, in part, states the following:

"Obama did offer some hints about where the strategy is headed, including an expected emphasis on boosting the pace of training for Afghan security forces.

"'It's going to be very important to recognize that the Afghan people ultimately are going to have to provide for their own security,' Obama said. 'And so we'll be discussing that process whereby Afghan security forces are properly trained and equipped to do the job.'

"He also said that there will be important civilian and diplomatic components to his planned strategic shift," the NPR report states.

On Oct. 29, 2009, Sen. Levin stated, in part, the following opinions:

"I agree with Gen. McChrystal on the need for a counter-insurgency strategy with a focus on protecting the Afghan people. Gen. McChrystal himself has said that what’s getting most of the attention these days -- troop levels -- is of less importance than the need for a fundamental change in our military strategy to a counter-insurgency campaign that makes the security of the Afghan people paramount. 'The key takeaway' from his assessment, the general writes, 'is the urgent need for a significant change to our strategy and the way that we think and operate.' And Gen. McChrystal said explicitly in his assessment: 'Focusing on force or resource requirements misses the point entirely.' The media is sure missing the point. I’m confident the president won’t."

Levin continued:

"In furtherance of a counter-insurgency strategy, my recommendation has been that we and our NATO allies take urgent steps to accelerate the growth and capability of Afghan forces before we consider committing any additional U.S. combat troops to Afghanistan, beyond those now in place or on their way. I have proposed an increase in the Afghan army and national police to about 400,000 troops, roughly doubling their current numbers, and that this be completed by 2012, a year earlier than now planned. Meeting that goal will require a substantial new commitment of U.S. and NATO trainers and other enablers, such as logistics support and intelligence assets.

"It will also require a major infusion of new equipment. The National Defense Authorization Act that President Obama signed yesterday (Oct. 28, 2009) opens the way to transfer useful equipment now in Iraq, currently scheduled for return to the United States, to Afghanistan instead."

For a YouTube video of this speech by Sen. Levin and the rest of the accompanying text from which this excerpt is taken, visit his Web site or see and hear the speech on his official YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/SenCarlLevin.

For the complete article posted today on NPR, visit their Web site.

To contact Sen. Levin's office with your views, call 202.224.6221 or go to his email and contact page: http://levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm.

Photo: Sen. Carl Levin's official press photo provided by his Web site.