[redangus]

What is often overlooked is that after the British debacle that everyone likes to refer to was over the British came back to Afghanistan with their own "mountain" troops, mostly gurkhas and highlanders. They then proceeded to kick some serious afghani butt and installed their man on the throne where he remained until the 1920's. It's called attitude and determination. Whether we have enough of either remains to be seen. I think we do, but the american populace is fickled at best, and has a very short attention span and memory.

[rnf_fusilier]

What I mean is that reviewing the history of military incursions into Afghanistan from Alexander the Great to the Soviet Union is that Afghanistan has a tendency to swallow large numbers of troops. It appears that the current military operations in Afghanistan are having the effect of bringing the Pashtuns(from whom the Taliban come) into the fighting. The coalition may have started by targeting the Taliban and Al-Qe'ada network but increasing numbers of Pashtun clans are being drawn in. Despite what bobthenailer may wish the US is not immune to this. We are all infidels to the tribes and we may find ourselves fighting our way out. Its a danger we must be aware of.