I don’t think the CIA would like the idea, but if we could genetically engineer a plant disease that wiped out the opium poppy, it would really change things in Afghanistan.
Was Korea unwinable? Not just in the immediate aftermath of WWII but in 50 years of NK amping up their weaponry to WMD?
Now the U.S. force in-country is 8,400
They are all volunteers.
It is an “unwinnable” situation, of course, but it is also an extremely good arena for testing weapons and tactics... and who better to test them on than the filthiest of filthy muzzies?
My only quibble would be with compensation. Are the 8400 volunteers being adequately compensated for their risk-of-life-and-limb?
If you recognize that you can't defeat a foreign military force without maintaining a permanent military presence halfway around the world, then either the tactics are all wrong for the situation or the military isn't even the correct tool to deal with the problem.
Can’t win in Afghanistan without winning in Pakistan too.
The problem is not just limited to Afghanistan or one distinct group such as al Qaeda. Panetta and the other globalists refuse to recognize the real cause of the terrorism, violence and political instability because it does not fit their political narrative. The fact is that Islamic culture is simply not compatible with the practices, values and institutions that constitute Western modernity. the Islamic world cannot avoid the challenge of the West. Many Muslims have become bewildered reactionary jihadists who are clinging to the values and even dress of the 10th century in a violent attempt to maintain control. Others are adapting to modernity or migrating Westward. Violence, social and political instability is now endemic in the Muslim world even in the most wealthy countries. American policy and military force cannot and should not involve itself in this cataclysm. Eventually the Muslims themselves will be forced to transform or wither. Best the US stays detached, aware and retaliates severely only when American are attacked. Sixty years of US involvement in that quagmire has done nothing to enhance the security of the American people, has created unnecessary bitter enemies and has cost the American people huge material and human sacrifices. Panetta’s vision has been wrong and has done real harm to the United States and its people.
I was with Trump since 2015, when he first walked down the escalator. I forced myself to get involved in politics in a major way for the first time in my long life. I worked the voters and manned the precincts the day of his election. But if Trump hasn’t gotten us the hell out of Iraq and Afghanistan, which he can do literally overnight as CoC (and builds the damn wall), then it doesn’t matter if he’s re-elected. I will just say a prayer for the late, great US of A and be done with it all. It will be truly over.
The only was to Win, is to ELIMINATE ISLAM.
Ban all Mid-East, South African and North Asian muslims from entering the USA.
9/11 would not have happened if the Saudi hijackers were not in the USA, regardless of whether the Taliban was in power, or not.
The globalists and debt financiers need to declare “multiculturalism” as a great good, and promote the use of the word “racism” as important PR gestures in keeping their scam going.
The senior leaders in the military don’t want smart subordinates.
They want subordinates who are loyal to them.
The concept that the Taliban is OUR "main enemy" is false, in the sense that the Taliban are the natural government of a place like Afghanistan, and the internal affairs of Afghanistan are no concern of ours.
Prosecuting what IS our concern requires ZERO American footprint there, it simply requires an understanding by the Taliban leadership that there are two Trident missile subs stationed in the Indian Ocean with pre-programmed targets in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and that ANY activity that harms a hair on the head of any American representative overseas, or any American citizen at home will result in annihilation.
Otherwise, I don't give a sh*t what they do with their sh*thole.
We are not winning and we won’t ‘win’ there.
Why?
Because the definition of ‘winning’ is incompatible with what is possible in Afghanistan (and many other places like it).
After 16 years the Taliban is back in control of over half the country, AQ is back as is ISIS. The same territory that was taken and retaken and re-retaken is still up for grabs.
All for what? What have accomplished?
Afghanistan is not really a nation. It is a collection of feudal fiefdoms and always has been. We’re not dealing with a ‘naton’ as such. We’ve spent BILLIONS (if not in the trillions) there and nothing to show for it ... plus a lot of dead on our side.
Enough
Enough
Enough
But the troops are not *dying* in South Korea and haven’t for a while.
That's 20th century thinking.
The way to get the maximum benefit of having a war is to keep it going forever.
Just don't fight any other industrialized countries.
If you're in the right business of course.
We are not in Afghanistan for no reason.
The place is filthy rich in rare natural resources, more so than nearly any place.
Question should be, are we mining necessary Odd resources?