In a piece for POLITICO last week, I criticized President Obama for delaying his decision on a new Afghanistan strategy. The Economist today points out another reason why putting off the decision is hurting the war effort: The internal debate over the war’s course is increasingly spilling into the public, undermining whichever course the President ultimately chooses:

Mr Obama has now put off his decision until after he returns from his trip to Asian countries beginning this week, and may not make a choice until December. Many accuse him of dithering, and even close allies such as Britain are expressing exasperation with the delay in Washington. But others think Mr Obama’s caution has proven wise, given the political mess in Kabul. What is undeniable is that the protracted debate within the administration is increasingly being fought in public.

The White House has now floated more trial balloons for an Afghanistan strategy than I ever thought possible, only to pop all of them almost as quickly. (Just today, the AP is reporting that the President will reject the four most prominent options.) Given the perceived trouble in settling on a new strategy, the President will have a big sales job to do to get the country, congress and our allies to support said strategy.

Tags: afghanistan, AP, communications, Economist, obama, politico