Why We Are In Afghanistan

Commentary Magazine ^ | December 15, 2008 | Abe Greenwald

[Jbny]

The chorus of liberal observers who railed against the Iraq War, calling it an unnecessary and unwinnable blunder, have repurposed their defeatist denunciations and aimed them at the American effort in Afghanistan. It matters not that this same crowd used to hold up Afghanistan as the “right war” in criticizing Iraq. It is now the wrong war for the simple reason that it has become the more challenging. Unsurprisingly, Joe Klein leads the pack of migrant cut-and-runners. Klein, who in June described the Iraq War as “currently drawing crucial resources from the more important war in Afghanistan,” has now decided that that “more important war” is nothing more than “an aimless absurdity.”

[Slapshot68]

Whether or not you believe in the cause of the Iraq war, I’m so tired of hearing that we can simply move resources away from Iraq and into Afghanistan and 1) Find OBL 2) Crush the Taliban for good and 3) Cure cancer.

I hope some of you military folk will correct me if I’m out of line but it seems to me that you don’t simply drop numbers into mountainous places like where Taliban and extremist Muslim insurgents dwell. I believe that’s what the Soviet Union did to some extent and we know how that turned out.

You need a good plan, with troops trained for mountainous duty. I think the current troops, along with our allies, have done a hell of a job in Afghanistan which isn’t a conventional war.

[ripley]

brilliant liberals are everywhere. they know everything. they have insight that mere humans don’t have and are genetically superior to knuckle-dragging cretins known as conservatives. so, every time a liberal utters a sound, take it as gospel truth based upon absolute brilliance.

amen.

[Captain Kirk]

Nobody has ever successfully occupied Afghanistan. Nobody.

[flowerplough]

Talked to a National Guard Staff Sergeant who’d just rotated back from Afghanistan. He sez lots of the country is rough enough that the Talis who are able to run can usually hide, and that the villagers seem to be often sheltering Taliban and such and lying to GIs and interpreters.

[Nanny7]

My own gut feeling is that Afghanistan could be our next Vietnam.

[glide625]

Not without MY plan they haven’t. But, they continue to ignore my advice to open dozens of Carnival like Theme parks all across the country employing only the locals to work the theme parks. Think of it as “6 Flags over Afghanistan”. And to work they have to have water parks, rides, theme amusements etc. The operators can satisfy the local mufti with the “Stoning Pit” for adulterers, a “Hanging” garden, and my personal favorite, The Guillottine Plaza. Ice cream, loud happy carny music, grenade toss, “helmet pie”, you name, it can be there. Half the local population will work there, the other half will “play” there before long you have a Carny economy! No one would dare attack it; the Taliban, jealous of the fun everyone else is having would drop the militancy thing and seek out jobs at the Theme Parks. But of course, Theme Parks must of needs have security. That’s where the U.S. Airforce, Army and Marines come in. Bases conveniently placed near the Theme Parks, paid for by a franchise fee on the parks operation. Of course, before long, the jealous Iranians would want parks in their country.........WE can happily oblige them! Say 40 U.S. franchised theme parks in Iran, (with 40 bases) and we got Pax Americana!

It’s a beautiful thing.

[RC2]

I agree. At this point in the game, we should take about a week and carpet bomb the mountains where these jerks are and then leave. It’s time these people stand up and take care of themselves. Our military are fantastic, but it’s time to get out of there and bring our men and women home in victory.

[JimSEA]

The Afghan problem is the same for us as it was for the Russians.

1. Tribalism.
2. Fundamental Islam.
3. Pakistan.

What will happen to the region and to America if we just pull out. Well, Mumbai teaches us what the future in Pakistan will look like. Nuclear brinkmanship with will only be complicated when Iran joins the club in the next couple of months (likely to be followed by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and others (Hell, even far off Uganda wants Nuclear weapons to destroy the great Satan). Afghanistan will revert to its Taliban glory, expanding the area for Pakistani fundamentalists. Iraq is a "shoes throw" away from a similar fate.

Of course the Islamic world will be so profoundly grateful to us that they will cease all terrorist operation against America, Americans and American interests.

Just like when Clinton was President, right. Our disengaging from the world just means the folks who hate us will have greater opportunity to tear us down, probably successfully.

[kenmcg]

Afghanistan isn’t worth dying for. Outside of illegal drugs, what else does it supply to the world? The Taliban are a way of life. The Russkies realized fighting them was fruitless and withdrew. We should do the same.