I think that Afghanistan is one thing that Bush handled brilliantly. He sent in a few Special Forces types, who got together with the Taliban’s enemies. With the help of U.S. artillery and air support, the Uzbek Northern alliance charged into Kabul in their flip-flops a few months later and sent the Taliban packing to Pakistan, to the delight of the inhabitants of Kabul.
Now the new U.S. government is trying to handle Afghanistan the same heavy-handed way the Russians did 25 years ago, with a massive troop buildup.
It may be no coincidence Obama has handled our domestic affairs the same heavy-handed way the Russians handled theirs 25 years ago. I sure hope he does better with Afghanistan.
Maybe Obama can send in a few hundred ACORN, SEIU, and trial lawyers. They'll show al-Qaeda and the Taliban that he means business.
I greatly respect those who have served in Afghanistan who say that we need to stay there. If our leadership is going to tie their hands, and not have the total commitment to victory, then our troops in Afghanistan will die needlessly.
A list of 50 metrics is not a strategy. Without a commitment to victory, I cannot support staying in Afghanistan.
In my opinion you are exactly right! My brother has been to Afghanistan with a Spec. Ops. unit and he has been to Iraq and he will tell you Afghanistan is like a whole different world. The SF get the job done, they work with the CIA and local War Lords, quietly.
Obama had to flex his muscles, so he picked Afghanistan which was clicking away just fine. Send in more troops so he can look like a badass, get rid of the commander and put a SF guy in charge, so he can look like a badass. McChrystal’s plan of protecting the civilians comes from his SF training. Small units who deal directly with the locals, a level of trust is involved, that mentality cannot work with massive troops.
If we are not going to allow our military, which consists of our children, husbands, fathers, and extended family, then get them the F out!!!
The thing that absolutely pisses me off the most is that if GWB had such a travesty happen on his watch it would be front page news throughout the world and would continue for days and days!!!!