The Coloring of the Press

According to International Relations theorist, Stephen M. Walt, we keep slogging through the Afghan War as America negates to acknowledge its military shortcomings. The ultimate decision of where and when to fight is not necessarily a military decision in a democracy, though the military still does not like to lose. Therefore, Walt believes that there has been a misconstruing of the reported facts about the current war. Moreover, Walt contends that Obama is only sending additional troops because American soldiers are there now. Had the situation in Afghanistan been the same today without an American military presence, the president would likely not have sent the aforementioned influx of troops. Therefore, the only reason that American perpetuates the war is to maintain military credibility at home, to eradicate fears of Afghanistan being a safe haven for Al- Qaeda, and the apprehension about domestic payback. Moreover, according to Dexter Filkins, "nothing short of a miracle will give [the Americans] much in return" in regards to Afghanistan. Therefore, the positive spin that the press has been placing on the troop surge in Afghanistan and the increasing weakness of the Taliban seems far- flung from the reality of the situation. In fact, the set withdrawal date of 2014 infers that America will pull out of Afghanistan not when the latter country is a shining beacon for democracy, but when it's future is left up to fate. America will soon have to balance their profits and losses and will likely withdraw from Afghanistan before completely transitioning the country to self- determination. The problem is that it has taken America so long to find out that their dreams in the region cannot be fulfilled. The losses will soon outweigh the profits and America will be forced to drop the Afghan situation back on a fragile fulcrum from which it can slide either which way.