It was great we went in. In 2002 we completely took control every city the taliban and alq ran. They had to retreat to only tribal regions where they are still hiding. It was an excellent execution by our military and we should have left right after that.
I don't see how the US will be any more successful in Afghanistan than either the former Soviet Union or the British in the 1800s Afghanistan has, alternately, been called :"The place where Empires go to die" and "The Poison Chalice" for good reasons
The win is staying there long enough to get at the trillions in minerals and such. And keeping the poppies growing to turn into heroin for the US. My money says this is a source of black money for our CIA, for those programs congress will not finance. We have seen this in the past with the drug running with coke, sold in inner cities. Busted out by Michael Rupert, a cop long ago. That is just the way we roll.
Well when you think about it, that's a brilliant strategy: attack the enemy - do a runner, which serves to eliminate casualties - or much easier therefore more likely, merge into the nearest civilian community - thence to wait until the dust settles and the enemy's guard has been dropped, then break out and strike again, which means they will always have the element of surprise on their side. 'Now y'see them, now y'don't'? The logic of that simple strategy seems to have been escaping the notice of coalition forces for the last 16 effing years. And with the most recent surge authorised by Trump, it obviously still is. Sorry to say this but you've lost - so get out before any more 'lions' come home in body bags.
if by winning you mean wasting tons more money fact is, when we leave it goes back to the way it was like Iraq is doing... question is, will Trump kick the can to the next President or just end it how long do we want to stay, how much do we want to spend, how many American soldiers have to pay with their blood to keep this war going indefinitely?
I don't know how similar it is to Nam. I suppose it depends on where the majority of Afghans stand on the Taliban. If enough of them want a country free of that kind of tyranny, I think they (and we) will succeed in the end. If, on the other hand, they want that kind of rule and do not appreciate the freer system we are supporting there, then I suppose that we will lose eventually, if that is our metric for win or loss. Either way we have done much to help the Afghan people and to reduce the threat posed by the terrorists there. Afghanistan is not a major source of trouble today in that regard, I'm pretty sure, as those remaining are mostly stuck fighting NATO forces and their own people. One big difference between Afghanistan and Vietnam, though, is that our enemy there isn't being backed by a powerful foreign power with a competing ideology and system of government. Afghanistan isn't even as bad as Korea, where we had to repel a Communist invasion and fared better, and still have a strong ally in a free country there to this day. Also, here is a hopeful message: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...bassador-united-states-troops-2020/100330210/ Afghanistan’s military should be able to carry on the fight against Taliban insurgents mostly without the help of U.S. and other foreign troops by 2020, Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United States said Tuesday. “By 2020 our security forces will be able to have what they need to carry on the fight on their own for the most part,” Hamdullah Mohib told the USA TODAY editorial board. “We’re not talking about creating a new military,” Mohib said. “What we’re talking about is adjusting what we already have.” He said the forecast assumes there won't be any major changes in the security threat in Afghanistan. The Islamic State has made some inroads in the country, though is not considered a major threat. Mohib said Afghan’s fledgling air force also is growing more self reliant. ...
I don't remember us announcing a victory in Viet Nam, and I don't envision us leaving Afghanistan anytime soon because that would leave a void that isis may fill and thrive in.
Nope, we've won from every militaristic standpoint. Taliban/ALQ have no control of anything but tribal areas. The cities belong to us, air power belongs to us, we've eliminated way more of the enemy than they have us. It's total victory. I know Europeans aren't used to victory, so I don't blame you for being confused.
When I hear reportage of the almost daily attacks in Kabul by the 'defeated' Talibs . . . if I'm 'confused', you're 'in denial'?
You could say the same thing about any area where rouge criminals attack people. Casualty mount, air support, control of major territory...All US. Utterly destroyed them just like we did Saddam's Republican Guard...all that remained there were pockets of insurgency. Whoever gave you your military sciences degree should be taken out back and shot.
Nope, it's just that I'm smart enough to know when I'm up against a closed mind, and that there's no point in trying to change it.
Certainly not in military-related issues. The US took total control of all Taliban held cities, the US wiped the floor with them in the casualty count, and the US has total control over the air. Total victory. So when you talk about you being "smart", just know how stupid your comments are.
FFS! Look, watch Bitter Lake then come back and tell me which of us is smart, and which of us makes stupid comments??
This comment does nothing to refute the facts of the military operations. Thank you for your deflection.
Alright then don't watch it, and remain in ignorance. I actually believe you did watch it but don't want to hear the narrative therein?
NO ONE can win in Afghanistan. The people are far to fractured and hate each other which allows for terrorism to flourish. This has been the case for many decades and will not change. Most of the Middle Eastern Muslim areas suffer this situation to some extent and thus do we see all the brutality and warfare. Until Islam fundamentally changes and grows out of its physical violence stage the entire region is doomed to suffer.
Because he said "we" I think he is correct.......... http://www.politicalforum.com/index...ration-policy-and-islamic-restoration.499211/ Trump immigration policy and Islamic restoration... Are President Trump's immigration policies setting the stage for the most massive outpouring of the Holy Spirit to ever occur? Will it be felt most in the Islamic world? Let's face it..... when the majority of Muslims see that Honor Killings and Feminine Genital Mutilation and participation in plans to over throw democratic governments...... are backfiring...... they could well be inspired and encouraged to initiate what will lead to what a woman from Alberta, Canada was shown back in 2009.