To the Point
Afghanistan: The 'Right War' Gone Wrong
With Secretaries Clinton and Gates at his side, President Obama today said that gains in Afghanistan are “fragile” but real. While he still hopes to begin a so-called “conditions-based” withdrawal in July of next year, US combat forces will remain until December of 2014. Also, more trouble for BP -- in the US and in Azerbaijian.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenWith Secretaries Clinton and Gates at his side, President Obama today said that gains in Afghanistan are “fragile” but real. While he still hopes to begin a so-called “conditions-based” withdrawal in July of next year, US combat forces will remain until December of 2014. Also, in the aftermath of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against BP. Fines and penalties could cost the company tens of billions of dollars.
Banner image: (L to R) Defense Secretary Gates, Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Clinton and Joint Chief of Staff Vice Chairman, General Cartwright look on as President Obama (C) discusses the Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review at the White House, December 16, 2010. Official While House Photo: Pete Souza
In this episode
2 storiesPresident Obama Claims Progress in Afghanistan
Having sent 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, President Obama conceded today that progress is "fragile." He still thinks withdrawal can begin next July, but also said the war is moving into what he called a "new phase," and that US combat forces will remain until December, 2014.
Read the story44 minJustice Department Files Suit over Gulf Oil Spill
Britain's Guardian newspaper today published new cables from WikiLeaks showing that BP had to evacuate 211 platform workers due to a gas leak in Azerbaijan — two years before the spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Read the story6 min
