General Wesley Clark On the Wars

July 27, 2009 | KTHV-DT | Craig O'Neill

A renewed focus on Afghanistan and an Army put on the bench in Iraq, the complexion of America's wars is changing. The former Allied Commander of NATO, and Arkansan, General Wesley Clark gives his take on where America is today.

The two-front war of the United States has changed dramatically since the election of President Obama. We're seeing forces in Iraq backing down and letting the Iraqis take over.

Afghanistan has now become the main focus of the Obama administration, with the addition of 17,000 troops, and a shakeup in the military leadership. General Wesley Clark accepted an invitation to come by Today's THV and give us his impression on the current state of affairs.

The former NATO Commander maintains that winning over the local populace is the key to America's success. He says the main focus should be on propping up the Afghans' democratic process and improving relationships with the local populace.

As for Iraq, the General says the country is still too unstable to make a prediction. However, there are encouraging signs that Iraq will be able to maintain the peace, despite a U.S. draw down.

The general also pointed out that the instability in Iran is helping the region. Iran is so concerned with its own problems, it can't disrupt the Iraqi recovery.

The General confessed to cautious optimism, but there is a lot of work to do.