What if Obama drastically altered the course in Afghanistan?

Andrew Sullivan's impassioned plea -- for Obama to take the a botched fiasco of an election in Afghanistan as an opportunity to take a U-turn in the war there -- got me thinking. What if?

And if this isn't a golden opportunity to drastically scale back our commitment, what would be? A clear reversal of course by Obama would be a sign that he can make a decision that the Beltway establishment does not have the strength to make; that he really is a change agent; that preventing Iraq from imploding again is now a more serious worry than propping up an unpopular, corrupt regime in Kabul ... and losing more decisively to the Taliban in the end.

You could file it in under Shrewd (and potentially politically awful, which is why it won't happen). But imagine if Obama actually dramatically scaled back.

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Maybe, it was as simple as hearing or seeing something, some small snapshot, that triggered what would have taken a considerable amount of courage and fortitude. Or maybe it wore on him day in and day out, seeing this maelstrom worsen. And he finally stands up. His conscience awakened.

He knows he has to come out forceful, yet fully informed and prepared for the shitstorm. He knows his allies, he's aware of the wave of detraction and scorn he'll receive from the media. He understands the consequences.

He has an inner-inner circle that knows. He is wired and focused. ("Mercy" by the band Wire is playing) He must inform the principals, including the hawkish military brass. (They've never really felt comfortable with him.) He works himself up and pops through the door with force and purpose. He sits and looks around. He says some kind words to begin. He stares into there eyes as he lays down some preliminary background to his announcement. He is forceful and hard with his glare. His hand gestures are direct and cutting. (The guitar rhythm dictates his arm gestures and body movements if you were making a video. He would sing out his orders. He's basically dancing to "Mercy". It would also be stop-motion. Maybe even out of various still photos of him. Or it's animated.) He tells them he's pulling back now. The Karzai-led government is corrupt, inept and isn't trusted by Afghans. If we can help Iraq not fall apart, we'll send what we can. But de-escalation on all fronts is ordered. ("Mercy" is his guide. It moves his entire body. It's what he's seeing in his head, not in his eyes.) His decision is final. "Here's our plan. If you want to resign, do it now so I don't have fuck with you later. Yes, I have possible replacements for you, so do it what you think you have to do."

The military is shocked. There is outrage, there is finger-pointing and hand-wringing. There is anguish. He is sure and resolute. "Here's our plan. If you want to resign, do it now so I don't have fuck with you later. Yes, I have possible replacements for you, so do it what you think you have to do."

It takes time for the public to see the benefits. (We've been bombarded with war our whole lives. It's all we know.) There are leaps of faith. He's inspirational. There is confidence and positivity. There are sighs of relief. Problems remain, but de-escalation is near. The militant focus shifts to problems at home. If for only a moment, there's less fear and more breathing room.