Posted on 12/24/2009 8:17:41 AM PST by Interesting Times
There is no shortage of "expert advice" on what we should do in Afghanistan in light of the shortcomings of the Karzai government. Several writers argue that the best way to fight the Taliban is to support and strengthen the traditional tribal system by dealing with individual tribes rather than working to build a national police force and army. While this might offer a short-term advantage over a more comprehensive "nation building" strategy, this approach proved disastrous in both Iraq and Vietnam.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Ping.
BTTT
Really more of a lesson for our tribal allies than for us. Don’t trust the U.S., because sooner or later they will back out and abandon their allies, leaving them to the tender mercy of the terrorists.
Actually, I think they already understand that. Which is one reason why they are reluctant to work too closely with us in Afghanistan. They remember the lesson of Vietnam, even if we don’t. We can leave, they can’t.
And, no, I’m not saying we should offer to take them with us when we leave. The Montagnard instance only goes so far. We don’t want to take our Muslim tribal allies with us. We have enough Muslims in the U.S. already, and experience suggests that, even if some of them are initially friendly, their Muslim children probably will resist adapting to their new country. That has already been the case in Europe and, I’m afraid, in America.
Thanks for the ping!
The tribal system with no central government is the problem and since it hasn’t changed for hundreds of generations, it’s a sure bet it won’t happen soon.
That’s why they know that we’ll have warus interruptus.
Point taken. Certainly the Kurds would agree...
Thanks for posting this article. Mike Benge knows what he is talking about. America has a history of abandoning it allies. And now, with this administration in power, the Israelis and Taiwanese are understandably worried.
It is sad to see that this fine post only gets 8 replies.
True.
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