A soldier’s education: Understanding the impact of increased aid to Afghanistan

In a statement last Friday, the Obama administration said that there will a significant increase in U.S. and international support to Pakistan and Afghanistan, both for economic development and for defense against al Qaida. Adding to the 17,000 troops ordered to deploy last month to Afghanistan, 4,000 are now scheduled to train the Afghan security forces. Meanwhile, the President has authorized $1.5 billion a year in direct support to the Pakistani people over the next five years.

Joining The Takeaway to answer whether or not this is will be effective is Craig Mullaney. He is a West Point grad, a Rhodes Scholar, and was a captain in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and national security advisor to the Obama campaign. He also wrote about his experience in the memoir Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier’s Education.