Reuters
Tanya Goudsouzian, National Interest: The Iraq Exit Strategy Will Not Work in Afghanistan
They are two different battlefields with very different variables.
Last week, President Trump announced the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, fulfilling his oft-repeated promise to get America out of “dumb wars in the Middle East.” Along with that announcement was a message to start planning a withdrawal from Afghanistan. Early indications are that more than 7,000 American troops —out of 14,000—will return home soon. And probably sooner than the Pentagon would want.
While the move no doubt undercuts the Afghan government’s position in the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban, President Ashraf Ghani claimed it would not impact security in the country. Afghan military generals did not agree with this assessment, saying the move would be seen as a defeat. Indeed, the Taliban reportedly reacted with “ cries of victory .”
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WNU Editor: I concur. Afghanistan is not Iraq.
The exit from Iraq did not work. The exit from Afghanistan will not 'work.' The Russians & Chinese will commit genocide against the Pashtuns or decimation at the least. We could only hope that the remaining Pashtuns turn against The Taliban, who have light years more will to govern than skills or morals.
ReplyDeleteFacts are a stubborn thing a famous American once said. Fact is the US strategy in Afghanistan was doomed the moment Bush invaded that country and sent in 100,000 troops. Historical understanding of that region was lacking in Bush and his advisors. Fact is its not even a stalemate as the Taliban are creeping across the country as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteWithdrawal is the only honorable option, honorable for US troop's lives. The US today is energy independent using North American resources. The Middle East isn't as important to the US. A bloody series of conflicts will ensue, what else is new? This time the US won't be involved with so many lives. Then cut off Middle Eastern immigration to the US and strictly monitor tourist and student visas.
That approach costs far less and benefits the US populace.
So its a crazy idea.
A huge body of those here illegally are those who get here legally and then overstay visas and stay on indefinitely
ReplyDelete"Historical understanding of that region was lacking in Bush and his advisors. "
ReplyDeleteTo have 10,000+ people murdered and to just throw a few cruise missile would have invited more and more attacks. We had to go in once the Taliblam refused to hand over "Hide Behind Skirts, Osama.
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Alexander the Great conquered Afghanistan. So did the Persians, the White Huns, the Turks, Ghenghis Khan (Hazaras), Timur, and the Mughals.
The Russians would have conquered except for China, Britain, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, The Gulf States and the US aiding the Afghans.
The point is the Afghanistan is eminently conquerable.
That said, we cannot win without defeating Pakistan. We have not attempted it.
Anon 433,
ReplyDeleteYou are posting to the wrong thread.