Meaning: The quote you provided is a critique by Daniel Ellsberg, a former United States military analyst and whistleblower, of Barack Obama's decision to escalate the war in Afghanistan. In this quote, Ellsberg is expressing his belief that Obama's decision will lead to the deaths of many civilians in Afghanistan at the hands of American forces. He acknowledges that by ordinary standards of presidents, Obama is considered a decent man, but he argues that this is not sufficient when it comes to the decision to engage in military action that will result in significant civilian casualties.

Daniel Ellsberg is best known for his role in leaking the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret Department of Defense study of U.S. political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967. His actions as a whistleblower exposed the truth about the U.S. government's misleading statements and actions in the Vietnam War, and he has since been a vocal critic of government secrecy and military intervention.

In analyzing this quote, it is important to consider the context in which Obama made the decision to escalate the war in Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan, which began in 2001 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, was a complex and protracted conflict involving multiple parties, including the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and the Afghan government. Obama inherited the war from the Bush administration and faced difficult decisions regarding the U.S. military's involvement in the region.

Ellsberg's criticism of Obama's decision reflects a broader debate about the morality and consequences of military intervention, particularly in the context of civilian casualties. The ethical implications of using military force, especially in situations where civilian lives are at risk, are complex and contentious. Critics of military intervention often argue that the human cost of war, particularly civilian casualties, must be carefully weighed against the potential benefits and strategic objectives of the intervention.

Furthermore, Ellsberg's critique raises questions about the moral responsibility of political leaders in making decisions that have life-and-death consequences. The quote reflects a belief that leaders such as Obama, who have the power to authorize military actions, bear a heavy burden of moral responsibility for the outcomes of those actions, particularly when they involve the loss of civilian lives.

It is also worth noting that Ellsberg's critique of Obama's decision to escalate the war in Afghanistan is situated within a broader historical and political context. The United States' involvement in Afghanistan has been the subject of ongoing debate and scrutiny, and the war has had profound and far-reaching consequences for the region and the people affected by it. Ellsberg's critique can be seen as part of a larger conversation about the ethical and strategic implications of U.S. foreign policy and military intervention.

In conclusion, Daniel Ellsberg's quote provides a thought-provoking critique of Barack Obama's decision to escalate the war in Afghanistan and raises important questions about the moral implications of military intervention, particularly in situations where civilian lives are at risk. The quote reflects a broader debate about the ethical responsibilities of political leaders in making decisions that have life-and-death consequences, as well as the complex and contentious nature of military intervention and its impact on civilian populations.