[blueplum]

that without the US abandonment of Afghanistan after 1989 and its strategically shortsighted policies there since 2001, Pakistan would be much better off.

comments such as that quoted just leaves me shaking my head in amazement

is it the author's opinion or Pakistanis' opinion that the US should have committed troops to Afganistan from before 1989 through 2011?

What troops has Pakistan or any other nation committed for 20-year stints - - - at their own costs?

did not the infusion of $30billion/year into Pakistan improve their lives? or shall we pretend the generosity of American taxpapers doesn't count because the money was misappropriated once gifted?

[JerseyHighlander]

The author agrees with you, he was stating a widely held belief amongst the elites in Pakistan.

Otherwise, yes, you and I agree on all counts of your post.

[Reaganez]

“is it the author’s opinion or Pakistanis’ opinion that the US should have committed troops to Afganistan from before 1989 through 2011? “

No, a committment of funds and to nation building after “we” defeated the Soviets.

Under the theory of “you break it,you own it.”

[Straight Vermonter]

Exactly. If we had tried to help they would have been angry about US meddling.