The Poison Spreads

From The Independent. 
The biggest repercussions however could be military and political. Speaking at the White House, Mr Obama made clear he intends to stick to existing plans to “responsibly wind down this war,” with the removal of a further 23,000 US troops from Afghanistan by the end of summer, following the 10,000 withdrawn last year. The last combat troops are due to leave by 2014, by which time Afghans will have taken charge of their own security. But the poisonous atmosphere could make it even harder to negotiate post-2014 arrangements for US troops to stay on as trainers and supervisors.
At home, Sunday’s killing spree has fuelled demands for a speedier end to an ever more unpopular war whose prime purpose, many argue, was achieved last May when Osama bin Laden was found and killed. Out on the campaign trail, hitherto hawkish Republican presidential candidates are starting to suggest that US troops should be pulled out sooner than the Obama administration currently plans.