Five Facts About Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

Five Facts About Afghanistan
Ivan Eland | October 20, 2009

The corridors of power in the nation's capital are abuzz with the complexities of the situation in Afghanistan. If only we send 40,000 more troops, say the military brass, the U.S. could have some hope of turning the situation around and preventing Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists yet again. Vice President Joe Biden has apparently suggested keeping the number of forces the same but shifting the U.S. mission more toward training the Afghan security forces and conducting Special Forces raids and drone attacks against al-Qaeda.

Instead, a few simple facts on the ground in Afghanistan point to a third alternative. First, al-Qaeda already has a haven -- Pakistan -- and could have one in any country that has instability -- for example, Yemen, Somalia, or Sudan. The U.S. does need to focus more on the untamed areas of northwest Pakistan and encourage the Pakistani government to go after militants there.

Second, the U.S.-led nation-building occupation in Afghanistan is fueling the Taliban resurgence. If you follow the timelines, increases in Western forces have brought about the Taliban renaissance. Opponents of a U.S. surge believe that 40,000 more American troops could make the Afghan people regard the U.S. superpower as a foreign occupier. Incredible news: they already do, and have for eight years.

Third, there is a misperception among U.S. policy elites that a troop surge increased stability in Iraq, whereas it was mainly paying off Sunni opponents to quit fighting American forces that brought what probably will be only a temporary respite from the violence. It ain't over till it's over.

Fourth, ultimately, in a republic, escalating an unpopular war is political suicide. If the public and Congress are balking at sending a measly 40,000 additional troops, they will not ever be willing to send the number of troops needed to win.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,204119,00.html?wh=news



unhappycamper comment: Win? Uh... Dude.... We don't even have a mission statement yet.

[Sherman A1]

1. Agreed

You are absolutely right, we don't have a mission statement. I think there was at one time something like "get the bad guys", but I don't know if we are sure who they are at this point.