In this video report, NewsHour correspondents fan out and talk to Americans around the country to get reactions to President Obama's new Afghanistan strategy, announced just this week.
After a three-months long review, President Obama outlined his new plan for the U.S. war in Afghanistan, which will deploy an additional 30,000 U.S. soldiers to the war. In another 18 months, the president promised to begin scaling down the presence of American forces in the country.
The NewsHour spoke to Americans from Virginia, Texas, California and other parts of the country to gauge their reactions to the unveiling of President Obama's plans for the Afghan war.
Quotes
"George Bush, he thought he was going to go in there and solve the problem, but it just seems like another Bush strategy, and something that is just going to go on, because, as far as I can see, those people -- those -- those persons over there have no regard for human life and they will just keep on killing. There doesn't seem to be a resolution. I don't see a resolution to that." - Thomas Condenzio, Falls Church, Virginia
"I don't understand why the escalation. And -- and, just basically, it's not what I -- what I pictured in his presidency. So, I'm kind of disappointed." - Karen Strecker, San Francisco
"I think the troops should be increased there, because, really, the problem is right there. I'm definitely for withdrawal as soon as possible, but it shouldn't be hasty, right? If we withdraw from there, they're going to grow, grow strong again." - Anupama Pamdey, San Francisco
Warm Up Questions
1. Where is Afghanistan? What countries border Afghanistan?
2. Why is the U.S. fighting in Afghanistan?
Discussion Questions
1. What did you think of the assessments made by people in the video? Do you agree with any of them?
2. The U.S. has already been in Afghanistan for eight years and experts believe that the war will only get worse before or if it gets better. What do you think of this assessment? Do you think we should add more troops or pull out?
3. What kinds of factors do you think President Obama considered when he decided whether to send more troops into Afghanistan? Do you think some of those factors are solely political?
4. Many critics of a troop surge in Afghanistan are comparing the situation to Vietnam. What happened in Vietnam? In what ways are the two wars similar? In what ways are they different? Do you think its a fair comparison?
5. Do you know any families in your community who are personally affected by the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq? In what ways could you help them? What kind of support do they need?
Additional Resources
