Michele Flournoy, under secretary of defense for policy addresses the media during a press conference at the American Enterprise Institute in DC, discussing the new Afghanistan stratagy and the implications for the United States and the NATO Coalition, Dec. 7, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer1st Class Molly A. Burgess

Michele Flournoy, under secretary of defense for policy, addresses the media during a press conference at the American Enterprise Institute in DC, discussing the new Afghanistan strategy and its implications Dec. 7, 2009. photo by Petty Officer1st Class Molly A. Burgess

By Ian Graham

Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, spoke to media and guests in a forum hosted by the American Enterprise Institute about the new strategy in Afghanistan and what the Obama administration hopes to accomplish with the new plan.

She said the review process that led to the new plan was intentionally slow, favoring in-depth analysis of the situation in Afghanistan, covering every perspective and every option, over quick, broad decision-making.

The new plan, she said, will focus on “clear, concrete goals,” primarily reversing insurgent gains and providing the tools and environment for Afghanistan to stand on its own. She stressed the importance of civilian participation in the process, and the intricacies of the plan.

“I know there are those who would have liked to see a more rapid strategy review, but the president felt strongly that with so many lives and long-term security interests at stake, doing this fast was not as important as doing this right,” Flournoy said.

Also speaking were Paul Jones, deputy special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Army Brig. Gen. John Nicholson, the Joint Staff’s director of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Coordination Cell. Their bios can be viewed here.

Read the article on Defense.gov for more of Flournoy’s remarks.