NEVER-ENDING WAR

Obama has announced that the longest war in US history--13 years in Afghanistan--has "formally" ended. With 10,000 troops and US weapons still there? Rubbish! Just last month, Obama secretly extended the US's role in Afghanistan. So the man who campaigned on greater transparency and drawing down wars is now secretly expanding the war he's formally leaving. Oh, and he's back at war in Iraq--the war he voted against as a senator and we're now battling Syria and Pakistan as well. Obama didn't start this war, Bush did. And I didn't disagree with the US going to war in Afghanistan to dismantle the Taliban to prevent more 9/11-style attacks. But this hasn't worked and we're afraid to a admit failure. 2014 has been the most violent year in Afghanistan since 2001. Obama supporters--can you justify this mess?

DEMOCRACY NOW: The U.S.-led NATO occupation has formally ended its 13-year combat mission in Afghanistan. The move leaves Afghan forces in charge of security, though more than 17,000 foreign troops will remain. This includes more than 10,000 U.S. troops, who will continue to see a combat role despite the nominal change. Last month, President Obama secretly extended the U.S. role in Afghanistan to ensure American troops will have a direct role in fighting, along with jets, bombers and drones. The transition follows the deadliest year in Afghanistan since 2001.

AMY GOODMAN: But the war is not over. The Obama administration said earlier this month it would leave a residual U.S. force of about 11,000 troops in Afghanistan for at least the first months of 2015 to assist Afghan security forces under the mission known as Resolute Support. And last month President Obama secretly extended the U.S. role in Afghanistan. According to The New York Times, he signed a classified order that ensures American troops will have a direct role in fighting. The order reportedly enables American jets, bombers and drones to bolster Afghan troops on combat missions. Under certain circumstances, it would apparently authorize U.S. airstrikes to support Afghan military operations throughout the country.

Please watch this illuminating segment if you care. I'm not seeing much mention of the war sort of ending on TV news.