Posted on 09/29/2009 4:56:44 PM PDT by rabscuttle385
Nation-building in Afghanistan is a tough proposition for the United States since it is a "medieval" country, Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) told a local editorial board on Monday afternoon.
The freshman lawmaker said that the a rebuilding project similar to what the U.S. undertook in Iraq would unlikely to achieve success in Afghanistan because the latter is "medieval" and the former is a "20th century country."
Roe added that winning "the war" there would take "decades." He emphasized that the government needs to re-evaluate the mission there and define victory in the conflict against Taliban and al-Qaeda insurgents.
"I believe unless we're willing to make a commitment to stay there for decades, I’m not sure how you can be successful," he told the Johnson City (Tenn.) Press. "And why do I say that? Well, the whole [gross domestic product] of the country is 20 percent of what it's taking us to put into the military right now. They need basic infrastructure — roads, water, sewer, schools, education. Those take a long time to build."
He said that the military should not pull out troops now because terrorists would be able to establish a stronger foothold in the war-torn nation.
Roe, who said has had met with Congressional colleagues on the issue, argued that the U.S. would be able to prevail over the insurgents militarily. But he seemed bearish on the prospects of tuning the country into a modern democracy.
"Militarily will we win? Absolutely, there's no question in my mind about that. We have the troops, the training, there’s no doubt we'll win the battle. But will you win the war, and the war is are you into nation-building?"
thats fair....zer0bama is in the process of making this county “medieval” too....
NO - Afghanistan is biblical. Medieval would be advanced for them. Medieval would suggest things like the rule of law, roads, houses made of stone, canals, metalworking, chivalry, etc.
The notion that people like this would embrace a free democratic society if only given the chance is naive at best.
But then, if Islam has contributed so much to the American way of life...why is it failing to contribute to Afghanistan?
Eh, Barry?
It took him 8 years to notice?
“Nation-building in Afghanistan is a tough proposition for the United States”
Hopefully we are not there for nation building. IMHO we are there to KILL Al Queda and any Taliban who get in the way which is probably most of them.
They said that about Iraq.
Anyway, some in Afghanistan would go to school and become civilized. Others would blow those schools up.
I wouldn't paint with such a broad brush "people like that", as you did.
what did they expect?
All muzzie countries are stuck in the 7 th century.
This is Somalia North. Nothing but tribes fighting tribes.
We should be leaving at the first chance. With a CIC like we have now we’re just waisting our troops.
It's more than tribes fighting tribes.
We should be leaving at the first chance.
We should leave when the Taliban and al-Qaeda are no longer a threat.
The ROE precludes the elimination of the threat. Our troops are fighting with their hands tied behind their backs.
” The ROE precludes the elimination of the threat. Our troops are fighting with their hands tied behind their backs. “
This is unconscionable and criminal behavior from a Commander in Chief.
It’s as if Obama has allowed the Taliban and Al Queda to take out a restraining order against US soldiers and Marines.
If civilians are near US soldiers-do the Taliban and Al Queda cease firing and retreat ?
On September 12, 2001 none of us could have imagined that in 8 short years we would have a Commander in Chief who would order
that the Air Force should not bomb groups of assembled Taliban and Al Queda , but, instead “ buzz them “
so they “ vamoose.”
On 9/11 the planes did not “ buzz” the WTC and the Pentagon.
Or that if civilians ( and BTW- how does one distinguish between a civilian and a similarly dressed terrorist ? ) are anywhere
near an engagement where
they “ might get hurt “ or “ their property damaged “-our forces are to back away and retreat.
And air cover in an ambush ,when our guys are pinned down and out of ammo -will be denied if locals might be hurt.
Even if the locals are resupplying the Taliban .
Apparently Barry was too busy working the phones and filming videos for the Olympics ,
to be bothered with the deaths of four Marines and probably countless others who have died because of his ROEs.
We have not buisness NATION BUILDING- it gains the US nothing, we need to go after Bin-Laden and Alqaeda and get the heck out, or just get the heck out (why should our boys-GOD bless them ALL) have to die in the middle of an Islamic civil war?? So sick of the GWB “Turn the World into Democracy” Police Actions: and the funny thing is under Bill Clinton conservatives were 101% against ANY nation building activities (RIGHTLY SO)..!
Iraq and Afghanistan are nothing alike. Iraq was and is a modern country which lived under a tyrant. Afghanistan is a nomadic tribal country in which the population lives under war lords, not a central government. The pictures I’ve seen from people there are just stunning. My brother has said, you have to go there to get the true sense of what it is. It is like your mind cannot wrap around it.
I find it funny that the dems want the Afghani’s to take control of the military and police but unfortunately, the majority of Afghani’s are illiterate.
The ROE precludes the elimination of the threat. Our troops are fighting with their hands tied behind their backs.
The ROE under Bush in Iraq was very restrictive. We still won there.
As I said and appropriately so, we should leave when the Taliban and al-Qaeda are no longer a threat.
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