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.

General Wesley Clark, Karl Rove faceoff at Univ. of Buffalo (Video)

Debate date: September 26, 2008 | Transcript by RegNYC

Article excerpts from The Buffalo News | Jay Rey | NEWS STAFF REPORTER

It wasn’t Obama-McCain, but Western New York had a pretty good debate of its own Friday night at the University at Buffalo. On one side was Karl Rove, Republican strategist and former White House deputy chief of staff.

On the other side was retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark, who had sought the Democratic Party’s nomination in 2004.

The two launched this year’s Distinguished Speakers Series in Alumni Arena with a bang, by debating some of the same contentious issues the presidential candidates faced, such as the economy, a $700 billion government bailout, health care and the war in Iraq.

Each started with five minutes for opening comments on his party’s slant.

“We are blessed to be citizens of this country,” Rove said. “There is something called the American Dream and people around the world want to share in it. Never lose sight this is the greatest country in the history of the world.”

“We’re a nation in trouble,” Clark said. “We need new ideas, and we need new leadership for America.”

Links to the Video of the Debate after the Jump

General Clark appeared on NPR's "Tell Me More" program on November 7, 2008

Foreign Policy Should Top Obama's Transition Talks

President-elect Barack Obama has started putting together the team of people who will work with him in the new administration. . Yesterday, the President-elect named Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff. Obama has many challenges ahead of him when his administration begins in January.

Among Obama's first tasks will be finding solutions to America's ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and fixing a wounded economy. U.S. Army General Wesley Clark (ret.) why foreign policy should be a top priority during Obama's transitional talks.

Listen here!

(transcript pending)

Remarks to the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Conference

Washington, D.C.
October 30, 2008

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