Let Afghanistan Go -- A Commentary

U.S. soldiers plan their next movement during Operation Viper Shake in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, April 21, 2009. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Infantry Division's Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller

From Townhall:

Saw an unforgettably stark photo of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's Wardak province, the same province Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen visited this week: Eight robed, turbaned fighters, a sandy ridge, a cloudy sky. All that was missing was the incoming American drone strike to turn the men into dust.

Question: Should the United States call in that strike? How great a security threat to the United States do these eight barbarians pose? How many dollars, how much blood is it worth to our nation to pulverize them into that lunar-like landscape?

I recently read a military e-mail from Afghanistan that marveled over a similar scene: "As far as BDA (battle damage assessment) goes, check this one out. 2 GBU 36's (bomblets) dropped the other day on estimated 6 guys!!!! That is half a million dollars on 6 guys!!!!" The e-mailer guessed that all the sniper ammunition the jihadists have used in the whole war hasn't cost close to that.

Read more ....

My Comment: If the leadership of the Taliban were not so beholden to Al Qaeda and their desire to spread jihad across the globe .... I would also say let Afghanistan go. That is unfortunately not the case .... so we keep on slogging on with no light at the end of the tunnel on how to get out.