Steve Breen for April 15, 2021

So we should never leave then?

One if my sons was in the Army and stationed in Afghanistan. I asked and he said the troops aren’t doing anything but guarding food trucks and the people don’t want the US army there anyway. They are really going to pull the troops out? Good!

We did not belong there anyway. Perhaps a quick action in 2001 — but even that was bungled by the administration which ignore the primary source of the attack (Saudi Arabia) and quickly shifted attention to a country that had nothing to do with the attack (Iraq) but did have oil and a leader Bush didn’t like.

The problem goes back well before 9/11. When the Russians were in Afghanistan, the US (the CIA) armed and encouraged the Taliban, who at the time were a minor element there. And so “we” made them into a major factor.

And why did we choose to “support” the Taliban? Not because they shared our values, but because they were the most radical and uncontrollable faction available.

Just wondering if anyone has a different solution for Afghanistan? I have heard only criticism of both options (pull out vs stay indefinitely). Is there any other option that might actually work?

There were people saying that the mission in Afghanistan was doomed to failure from the beginning. Mostly people that had read history and remembered watching the last helicopter leave Saigon.

If only we could give asylum to all the women and girls of Afghanistan who will be the ones to suffer under the Taliban once again.

Dear Mr. Breen: Has having out troops there done any good? I think not.

Afghanistan has been called “The Graveyard of Empires” long before we – or the Russians -ever got involved. I think the term goes back to the late 1700s.

If we can’t bring justice and peace to places like Georgia and Florida, how can we expect to do it in a far-off country like Afghanistan?

Breen, read a freakin’ history book. We prolong wars that our military, politicians, and intelligence sources tell us are not winnable no matter what tactics we choose, and do so for decades in those conflicts. The Afghans have fought wars on their home turf against invaders for many centuries and lately with now a 3rd defeated 1st World powers since the middle of the last century. And as far back as the Latin phrase “Cui bono?” nations drum up excuses to continue wars they cannot win. Here’s the last bit of history you didn’t mention – the US spent a ton of money, provided modern weapons, and gave modern technogy to the Mujahideen for years. Who are they? Now they’re referred to as “the Taliban.” Ever hear the phrase, “they shot themselves in the foot. And then shot the other foot” before?

Remember Breen’s identical comic from Oct 2020 when trumphole said we’d be out by Christmas? ……….Neither do I!

The U.S. needs to re-assess it’s policies regarding intervening in other nations. Too many swamps to get dragged into.

I believe the USA has spent around a trillion $$$ there. Shouldn’t the government be ready to defend itself?

While we are there, we are a lightning rod for problems. Leaving forces the people to come up with their own solutions. Though I don’t think we’ll be completely out of the picture what with drones, missiles and attack aircraft nearby. Remote warfare should be the model for all future US military engagements.

By all means we should expend blood and treasure to resist a national takeover by violent, backward-thinking religious zealots, who feel emasculated and enraged by women’s social progress; but there’s no need to send people halfway round the world to fight that fight.

Sure, they are waiting but so what. Yes, there will be a resurgence.. and again, so what. It is not Americans responsibility to police the world, and if it were.. Afghanistan would be way down on the list of nations that need policing.

A very good question, but not for politicians?

Perhaps now, I don’t know any sports fans now that I am retired. But during the 1970s there were several murders in Texas over arguments about ballgames.Please note that “football” in the rest of the world is “soccer” in the US.

Right wingers want endless war against the rest of the world.

The Taliban is very much like Evangelical Christians, only more violent. They both “operate” under the same declaration, “Only my religion is valid and all others are sacrilege.” The Taliban are more likely to use violence to enforce their belief.

20 years of conflict and no solution? Another serving of Vietnam sir? Let us find another country to meddle in. after all, we have a war industry to support.

like Vietnam, soldiers and treasure are sacrificed. For what ??

It was the wrong decision when Trump made it and it is still the wrong decision.

It was the wrong decision when Bush made Afghanistan the secondary focus. It was the wrong decision when Obama watered down the surge by cutting the troop request by 2/3.

At this point, no matter what we do, it is the wrong decision.

So when is Breen or any other chickenhawk going to volunteer for a year in the sandbox?