Taliban underestimated US firepower and resolve of the Northern Alliance

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 11/13/2001 | Ahmed Rashid

[anniegetyourgun]

Well, let's see...we've left Afghanistan to it's own devices before. If we do that again, another snake will likely raise up and bite us again. But then, it does at least postpone that eventuality so we can get on to the next offender. At best, we may only be able to be a spoiler - keeping people like this from getting too far down the path of nukes.

One thing that does tend to help fend off totalitarians is freedom for the people. If we could just get the Afghans further down that road - perhaps they might like it. How you gonna keep 'em down on the sand dune once they've seen a free market?

[BunnySlippers]

Wasn't it just 10 days ago some "experts" interviewed by the media said that no city in Afghanistan could be taken without hundreds of US ground troops?

[sarasmom]

Generals, especially ex-generals, always forget they are dependant on information.No good intel-no good decision. Heil Clinton-Heil Carter.(Reagan,Bush & Bush Jr)The new Boss is NOT the same as the old boss.....As Barney says"Character Counts" Lets roll.

[M. Thatcher]

The "Northern Alliance" is a complete failure. Their apparent victories are a strategic blunder for the US

You have become a parody.

[JZoback]

I think the Star-Telegram keeps her employed only because she incites Texans and sells newspapers as a result.

That's probably why she's a drunk.

[Arkinsaw]

The "Northern Alliance" is a complete failure. Their apparent victories are a strategic blunder for the US as they pose an ominous regime that has little purpose other than another face upon totalitarianism. There is a no-win situation in Afganistan for the US with the exception that we maintain focus about cutting the throats of bin laden, et al.

You have the focus right, getting Bin Laden and those that harbored him and provided him comfort. I could care less about the Northern Alliance or what it does or does not do when the Taliban are gone. As long as they know that they will get the same treatment if they screw with the United States. I suspect they won't.

The people of Afghanistan are going to have to decide for themselves if they want to live like animals or whether they want to establish a society and culture beyond the stone age. We can't make that decision for them.

[Buckeroo]

Please differentiate your capability to laugh as you crow about taking sides in a fight that has no end in sight. Maybe you can tell America why the Northern Alliance is the great leadership after they ruthlessly killed and murdered over 50,000 Afgans during 1994-1996.

[Buckeroo]

I disagree with your comment. They have the full force of a few cluster/blanket bombing raids backed by the good faith and technological prowess of the American people. Once we discontinue our attacks, they will resort again to the tribal causation that they have known for centuries.

We need to punish the folks responsible for this; not meddle into their internal affairs.

[JZoback]

Just think what would happen if we really wanted to end this war right now!!

Honestly, I think that would be a bad move.

The last thing we want is to have troops parked over there being policeman watching the Afghan people pick their noses, while planning to overthrow whatever government we set up.

Let the Afghan people win this thing and let diplomacy work the final stage out.

[Cato the Censor]

They said we couldn't win -The English lost and the Russkies lost etc. etc-----------Well we may not have won yet but we ain't losing . Not a bad bit of All-American military work-Almost no casualties AND all done in about 5 weeks!!

[Nick Danger]

Personally, I'd like to relocate the Palestinians to Afghanistan and put the U.N. headquarters there!

Do it quick, before the bombing stops.

[anniegetyourgun]

ROFL!

[ancient_geezer]

The Taliban have many strengths to exploit. They have already dispersed their forces in southern Afghanistan in small towns and villages to avoid the bombing.

The error of calling for a false jihad:

Matthew 7:19-21

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Jihad, by it's essence of "holy war" demands immediate and sustained victories, without total victory it is found wanting in sustaining the faith necessary in carrying it forward.

In the end that is and will continue to be the down fall of the Taliban & OBL.

[M. Thatcher]

Please differentiate your capability to laugh as you crow about taking sides in a fight that has no end in sight. Maybe you can tell America why the Northern Alliance is the great leadership after they ruthlessly killed and murdered over 50,000 Afgans during 1994-1996.

I don't care a whit. The NA is furthering our aims at the moment. That's all it's good for, and that's all that matters. You seem to think we are the Russians, circa 1985. We are playing this better than you know. Try to have a single positive thought about American military competence before you die.

[Shermy]

[editor-surveyor]

"Let the Afghan people win this thing and let diplomacy work the final stage out."

That can't happen. - - Whatever government ends up in control there is guaranteed to be a UN Puppet Government. - That is the true objective there, whatever pablum Bush may be babbling about a war on terrorism.

[dread78645]

Misunderestimating the US bombing is just part of the strategery.

[Buckeroo]

"The NA is furthering our aims at the moment." -- M. Thatcher

Once you get over the hog-wash the media is stuffing down your throat, you will quickly see the "Northern Alliance" is just another face of internal strife placed upon Afganistan. They are using the situation for their own ends and hate America as much as any other terrorist group.

[1rudeboy]

Maybe you can tell America why the Northern Alliance is the great leadership after they ruthlessly killed and murdered over 50,000 Afgans during 1994-1996.

Easy. They're fighting our enemy.

[Buckeroo]

LOL! They are as much the enemy as any other factious group in Afganistan; simply stated, they are as cruel as any other ethnic group there.

The difference they have on their side is that they were ousted in 1996. Otherwise, today, they would have hosted bin laden, et al.