The war is not over, but Palin declares US victory in Iraq

New York, Sept.26 : The war in Iraq is far from over, but Alaska Governor and Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin seems convinced that the United States has achieved "victory" in that country.

She is also of the view that more American troops need to be sent to Afghanistan, a plea made at time when most Americans are demanding a recall of troops and battling with an economic crisis almost similar to the Great Depression of 1929. Palin has participated in three interviews since being named John McCain's running mate, and in all three, she has shown her political inexperience, especially in the area of foreign policy.

According to the Washington Post, these encounters have garnered enormous interest because Palin has largely walled herself off from journalists amid growing criticism that a vice presidential nominee should be more accessible.

In an NBC-Wall Street Journal poll this week, 57 percent of those surveyed agreed that "Sarah Palin does not have enough experience and understanding of foreign and military issues to be president."

Palin told CBS's Katie Couric that "a surge in Afghanistan also will lead us to victory there as it has proven to have done in Iraq," adding that "we cannot afford to retreat, to withdraw in Iraq."

When Couric asked her "Why do you believe additional troops, U.S. troops, will solve the problem there? Palin replied: "Because we can't afford to lose in Afghanistan, as we cannot afford to lose in Iraq, either, these central fronts on the war on terror."

She also said that the people of Pakistan wanted freedom.

"They want democratic values to be allowed in their country, also. They understand the dangers of terrorists having a stronghold in regions of their country, also. And I believe that they, too, want to rid not only their country, but the world, of violent Islamic terrorists," she said.

ANI