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In reply to the discussion: I don't want John Kerry to even be considered as SOS [View all]midnight
(26,624 posts)extremist into Pakistan..
"Democratic Senator Russ Feingold told me the Presidents Afghanistan surge will make matters worse in Pakistan. When I asked Feingold if the Taliban in Pakistan would be strengthened if they are not defeated in Afghanistan, heres what he said:
FEINGOLD: Well, its just the opposite. You know, I asked the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen, and Mr. Holbrooke, our envoy over there, a while ago, you know, is there a risk that if we build up troops in Afghanistan, that will push more extremists into Pakistan? They couldnt deny it, and this week, Prime Minister Gilani of Pakistan specifically said that his concern about the buildup is that it will drive more extremists into Pakistan, so I think its just the opposite, that this boots-on-the-ground approach alienates the Afghan population and specifically encourages the Taliban to further coalesce with Al Qaida, which is the complete opposite of our national security interest."
Watch the complete exchange here:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2009/12/feingold-afghanistan-surge-more-extremists-to-pakistan/