The Russians tried that, and it didn’t work. Reprisals are war crimes, and should stay that way.
Afghans are not likely to ever LIKE us. They respect strength, and they are not cowards, but neither are they rational people.
If an American doctor sees a man’s teen daughter and saves her life, the Afghan man feels compelled to KILL his daughter. How do you win the hearts and minds of a people who will kill their own daughters and wives?
Meanwhile, Pakistan provides a safe haven for the Taliban.
So how do we win? By making a 100 year commitment (or at least a 50 year one) to provide security and bring them into at least the 15th century...
Don’t want to do that? Then you might as well pull out.
Afghanistan is the reason the neutron bomb was invented. Too bad we don’t have a bunch to use.
I absolutely agree with you, whether the "enemy" shares your noble goals or defies them at every opportunity AND you or your children are there fighting under those rules.
If my children or I are fighting that enemy, I have clearly opposite ideas...