The limits of Obama's strategy

What US President Barack Obama really hopes to gain by sending more troops to Afghanistan is a second term in office, writes the liberal conservative daily Corriere del Ticino: "Obama's troop surge is linked to a hard and fast limit for the end of the military deployment before January 2013 [the end of Obama's first term in office]. ... This commitment confirms that the deployment really is the preliminary phase of an 'exit strategy' - a term the Talibans translate as 'withdrawal'. However this deadline will neither motiviate the allies nor the Afghans, if they're constantly counting the days instead of fighting for a victory. But it will move the jihadists to hold out until the Americans leave, instead of surrendering or negotiating peace. So Obama's limited goals and fixed deadlines seem more intended to secure him a second term in office than a military success in Afghanistan."

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