The Afghanistan War - There can be no half-in half-out strategy.

The Houston Courant ^ | 5/31/21 | D. Phaup

[The Houston Courant]

Twenty years after the attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, Americans can reflect on the conflict in Afghanistan that followed. Enough time is passed to allow the fervor to settle, the gains and losses to be digested, and the rhetoric to subside. The public and policy makers can make a rational judgement on whether this war should continue. President Biden appears to be following his predecessor’s steps and pushing for an end.

Three days after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001. The bill permitted the President of the United States to use necessary force to identify and punish those who attacked our country. It passed almost unanimously in the House of Representatives with a vote of 410 to one and moved through the Senate with 98 votes in favor. President George W. Bush signed the bill September 18th.

Engagements began in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, with airstrikes by American and British aircraft. The United States removed the Taliban-controlled government of Afghanistan in a matter of days. Twenty years later, al-Qaida is non-existent in the country but some resistance remains from insurgent Taliban. Our country lost over 2,300 lives fighting in Afghanistan and the monetary costs are estimated to be over $800 billion.

We made the correct choice in going after our enemies. The United States needed retribution for the attacks against us by Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida. Not responding with overwhelming force would project weakness and invite further aggression. We had what Saint Thomas Aquinas calls a just war. After the 2004 elections in Afghanistan, the majority of the U.S. military should have returned home, save for special operations and intelligence forces to root out any remaining elements that pose a threat to America....

[sauropod]

bkmk

[Bishop_Malachi]

“...After the 2004 elections in Afghanistan, the majority of the U.S. military should have returned home, save for special operations and intelligence forces to root out any remaining elements that pose a threat to America....”

_____________________________________________________

This still just means we are a nation-builder. The only way we get to keep ANY forces in Afghanistan is if we prop up a puppet government that “wants us there”. Want to reduce islamic terrorism to an afterthought? Control immigration much more strictly. It’s a much cheaper strategy than endless wars to try and turn the world in to the US.

[shanover]

Spin it any way. The end result was the loss of men and treasure. America for many reasons is weaker now since 9/11 by design. If one was to be shown in 2001 what America would be in 2021, it would be unbelievable.

[zek157]

No, we didn’t go after our enemies. The House of Saud stands and continues to support wahabbi madrassas worldwide.

[FormerFRLurker]

Bring our troops home. America has too many problems of her own to spend so much blood and treasure fixing other countries’ problems. When your unconstitutional “police action” is older than some of the soldiers fighting in it you’re doing something wrong.

[budj]

"...can be no half-in half-out strategy..."

True, but unless you respond with total war and achieve unconditional surrender you're only half-in.

[Sirius Lee]

I don’t remember Congress declaring war on Afghanistan.

[RetiredScientist]

I agree completely. We have sacrificed too many American lives in this “forever war”.