In July 2010 , video footage of Steele was released in which he stated that the Afghan war was " a war of Obama 's choosing . If he 's such a student of history has he not understood that , you know , that 's the one thing you do n't do - is engage in a land war in Afghanistan ? Everyone who has tried , over a thousand years of history has failed . " He also said the war was " not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in . " In fact , War in Afghanistan was initiated by George W. Bush in October 2001 in retaliation for the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. ; Barack Obama increased troop levels there
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Michael Steele