Obama's PR Efforts to Assure War in Afghanistan is on Track

This week the Pentagon will attempt to convince the American people that the war in Afghanistan remains on track, despite the mess in military leadership.

Tuesday, General David Petraeus, head of US Central Command, was expected to testify before a Senate committee. This would be his first appearance on Capitol Hill since being picked to lead the war in Afghanistan following Obama's firing of General Stanley McChrystal for criticizing the administration.

Mourning over what he called "a lot of obsession" about the July 2011 withdrawal for US troops, Obama on Sunday defended his war strategy and said the US would assist the Afghans "for a long time to come." When asked about a five-year exit strategy endorsed by the Group of Eight major industrial democracies, Obama told reporters at the economic summit in Toronto, "I don't have a crystal ball." Obama added "I think that right now the debate surrounding Afghanistan is presented as either we get up and leave immediately because there's no chance at a positive outcome, or we stay basically indefinitely and do quote unquoted whatever it takes for as long as it takes." He repeated his view that beginning to pull out troops next year doesn't mean the US will "suddenly turn off the lights and let the door close behind us."

Obama's pick, Petraeus, is a signal that there won't be significant change in strategy. Everyone will be watching carefully to see what other changes might be in store.

The PR effort comes amid mixed reviews on US success in Afghanistan. Obama is advancing a risky new war plan that relies on some 98,000 US troops to prop u the Afghan government and prevent al-Qaida from returning.

This is an important issue for Obama because he said during his 2008 campaign he would end this war and bring troops home. However, he probably did not fully understand the complexity of this war and how hard it would be to suddenly pull out. Obama will need to find a balance between assuring the American people that he is making change and settling down our presence in the Middle East, yet make those who feel nervous about us a retaliation from al-Aida is we abandon the area.