Though out History just about every Nation that went there left with a bloody nose after spending Lots of Gold and people, what really has been gained, our mistake was not leaving after taking down Bin Laden group !
The British tried Afghanistan during Queen Victoria’s reign, the Russians gave up on it, but we, being so much smarter and better, are still pouring billions into a lost cause. When we do leave, we will be leaving a billion dollars worth of military equipment behind, just like Vietnam.
Invading Afghanistan made sense at the time. The question is: WHY can’t we leave military conflicts once a goal is accomplished? This is what we’re here to do. We did it. Bye. Why should that be damn near impossible? Is it because a lot of people make a lot of money from war?
During WW2 and after, the U.S. liberated countries by defeating the Japanese, telling them they are free and we are leaving. Many chose a form of government that was opposed to U.S. interests. The U.S. then had to go back to China/Taiwan, Korea and Southeast Asia to aid those who did support U.S. interests. Leaving too soon cost the U.S. many lives.
Afghanistan, as pointed out by many here, was invaded to get those who had attacked us, bin Laden and al Qaeda, and overthrow the government that harbored those terrorists. The Taliban was overthrown in about 90 days, bin Laden and al Qaeda went into the mountains leading to Pakistan. The Bush2 Administration then put operations in Afghanistan on the ‘back burner’ so as to invade Iraq. Had the Bush2 Admin done as they should have, we would have gone into Pakistan and finished the job then rather than some 10 years and many U.S. lives later. It all could have been accomplished in under one year. Ending it quickly and powerfully would have sent the message to the entire region that we will swiftly and powerfully avenge any attack on us and leave, but not conquer and occupy.
By staying too long, making too many new enemies, all we’ve done is to bring forth a new generation of Taliban who will brutalize their own people, and again harbor terrorists. Then we will have to go back again. We solved nothing.
If, in exchange for a safe and peaceful exit, we agree to disarm and let the Afghans handle the details, shouldn’t we accept? After all, it worked once for the Brits.
We don’t seem to have learned much from our military history and miltary strategy failures. We keep fighting for democracy in other countries, while seemingly ignoring the home grown danger to our own democracy. History is laden with dictators who stole the people’s freedoms through the “cult of personality” mentality….give the people a scapegoat to blame and hate for their problems…the last four years should have taught us about the evil of cult driven personality politics…because…. it’s just biding it’s time to come back and take over again. I don’t know why ..but it seems like there is always a mindless herd willing to follow a despot who promises to solve all their problems in exchange for giving up their hard won freedoms.
lucky_irishman5 about 3 years ago
Come home safely!
Concretionist about 3 years ago
The mideast is where powerful nations go to get taken down several notches.
scote1379 Premium Member about 3 years ago
Though out History just about every Nation that went there left with a bloody nose after spending Lots of Gold and people, what really has been gained, our mistake was not leaving after taking down Bin Laden group !
FrankErnesto about 3 years ago
The British tried Afghanistan during Queen Victoria’s reign, the Russians gave up on it, but we, being so much smarter and better, are still pouring billions into a lost cause. When we do leave, we will be leaving a billion dollars worth of military equipment behind, just like Vietnam.
piper_gilbert about 3 years ago
The war is older than some of the soldiers fighting in it.
Ignatz Premium Member about 3 years ago
Invading Afghanistan made sense at the time. The question is: WHY can’t we leave military conflicts once a goal is accomplished? This is what we’re here to do. We did it. Bye. Why should that be damn near impossible? Is it because a lot of people make a lot of money from war?
ncorgbl about 3 years ago
During WW2 and after, the U.S. liberated countries by defeating the Japanese, telling them they are free and we are leaving. Many chose a form of government that was opposed to U.S. interests. The U.S. then had to go back to China/Taiwan, Korea and Southeast Asia to aid those who did support U.S. interests. Leaving too soon cost the U.S. many lives.
Afghanistan, as pointed out by many here, was invaded to get those who had attacked us, bin Laden and al Qaeda, and overthrow the government that harbored those terrorists. The Taliban was overthrown in about 90 days, bin Laden and al Qaeda went into the mountains leading to Pakistan. The Bush2 Administration then put operations in Afghanistan on the ‘back burner’ so as to invade Iraq. Had the Bush2 Admin done as they should have, we would have gone into Pakistan and finished the job then rather than some 10 years and many U.S. lives later. It all could have been accomplished in under one year. Ending it quickly and powerfully would have sent the message to the entire region that we will swiftly and powerfully avenge any attack on us and leave, but not conquer and occupy.
By staying too long, making too many new enemies, all we’ve done is to bring forth a new generation of Taliban who will brutalize their own people, and again harbor terrorists. Then we will have to go back again. We solved nothing.
brwydave Premium Member about 3 years ago
If, in exchange for a safe and peaceful exit, we agree to disarm and let the Afghans handle the details, shouldn’t we accept? After all, it worked once for the Brits.
Radish the wordsmith about 3 years ago
Let us end all of the wars the republican’s made.
S&C = Dismayed&Depressed about 3 years ago
We don’t seem to have learned much from our military history and miltary strategy failures. We keep fighting for democracy in other countries, while seemingly ignoring the home grown danger to our own democracy. History is laden with dictators who stole the people’s freedoms through the “cult of personality” mentality….give the people a scapegoat to blame and hate for their problems…the last four years should have taught us about the evil of cult driven personality politics…because…. it’s just biding it’s time to come back and take over again. I don’t know why ..but it seems like there is always a mindless herd willing to follow a despot who promises to solve all their problems in exchange for giving up their hard won freedoms.
Radish the wordsmith about 3 years ago
Tanks for the memories.
grumpypophobart about 3 years ago
The Afghans have an impressive record of beating other nations.