Real News' Panel Debates Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan

On Thursday night's episode of "Real News From The Blaze," the panel delivered an lively debate on the current situation in Afghanistan -- particularly on the pending withdrawal of U.S. combat troops per the Obama administration's recent announcement.

Blaze host S.E. Cupp focused on the psychological impact of a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, noting that U.S. enemies could be emboldened by the announcement.

While Blaze national security expert Buck Sexton believes that the U.S. has accomplished what it set out to do in Afghanistan and that a gradual withdrawal is appropriate, he noted the convenient timing of the administration's move.

"It looks like the Obama administration is making these decisions in lockstep with political timing," Sexton observed.

Cupp, on the other hand, thinks that any announcement, regardless of its timing only plays into the hands of the nation's foes.

Blaze political strategist Will Cain asked what the U.S. is still doing in Afghanistan. Noting the country's repugnant record of human rights abuses, Cain posited that it would be near if not totally impossible to teach them "Jeffersonian ideals" and a Western concept of democracy in a way that the country could truly embrace and practice.

Cain observed that with less than 100 al Qaeda operatives in the country to this point, drone operations could be used in place of spending money and risking lives by keeping forces on the ground.

When the topic turned to the release of Guantanamo Bay detainees, Sexton agreed that while the move was wrong, it ultimately will not turn the course of the war. He also noted that many fail to recognize that as long as Afghan militants have Pakistan as sanctuary, it is literally impossible to eliminate the problem.

"It's like trying to get rid of roaches in one apartment when they have another apartment next door to move into!"

The panel unanimously agreed, it might not be a good idea to invade Pakistan!

Conservative talk radio host and guest Andrew Wilkow joined in the lively, and at times heated, discussion: