First Time as Tragedy, Second Time as Tragedy

Here is another sobering critique:

The War We Can’t Win
Afghanistan & the Limits of American Power
Andrew J. Bacevich
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/article.php3?id_article=2609

This is just another one of those stories which feed on the problems arising in this difficult theater and the almost inevitable mistakes that happen in every war. And, quite typically, it totally avoids to point out any alternatives. Would the situation improve if the international forces (don't forget, the US isn't alone in THIS, there you have broad support) world withdraw and let the Taliban take over again? Be awaqre that virually nobody is claiming Karzai, or any possible successor would be able to defend the country on their own. What the Taliban would make of it when they succeed is well known, too.

So, really, what are the alternatives? Withdrawal isn't a solution. Period.

"And, quite typically, it totally avoids to point out any alternatives."

Here's an alternative: don't go in.

"Would the situation improve if the international forces (don't forget, the US isn't alone in THIS, there you have broad support) world withdraw and let the Taliban take over again?"

Would it improve if we stayed?

"Be [aware] that virually nobody is claiming Karzai, or any possible successor would be able to defend the country on their own."

Doesn't that mean that for us to succeed we would have to stay there forever?

"So, really, what are the alternatives? Withdrawal isn't a solution. Period."

Backspace. That you're willing to accept. Period.

I have a question for you: why are we there in the first place? Is it for us or for them?

"Here's an alternative: don't go in."
Too late. We did. Uh, REASONABLE alternatives, pls. No timemachines allowed.

"Would it improve if we stayed?"
At least it wouldn't deteroriate to the level the Taliban would create.

"Doesn't that mean that for us to succeed we would have to stay there forever?"
No, this means, we have to support the Afghanistan government more. The actual contributions fell far short of the promises. Consequently, the government is unpopular because it can't deliver anything to the people. Afghanistan is a porr country.

"I have a question for you: why are we there in the first place? Is it for us or for them?"
Both. Taliban rule is worse for Afghans than limited warfare. And a new safe heaven for islamic extremists would be a boost for terrorism.

i think this war in afghanistan is a big, terrible mistake.

whatever "fixing" we're doing over there, desperately needs to happen here first.

when every state is back on their feet, every person dislocated from katrina has a nice, safe, non-toxic place to live, when people can find jobs and afford to live in their houses, every american has health care, when our cities become safe, good places for people to live in, every bridge is fixed, our schools are improved, people can again afford to live in their houses, our rail system is working, our industries start percolating,then we can have a national conversation about afghanistan.
does anyone other than Xe know what is really going on over there?

" And a new safe heaven for islamic extremists would be a boost for terrorism."

i am no foreign policy scholar, but you dont have to be one, to know that groups like that terrorist groups will keep finding other places to reinvent themselves.
aside from which, the greatest boost to terrorism is the internal weakening and disrepair in our country.
the weaker we become, the more vulnerable we become.
no-one else will have to destroy us.
we will do it to ourselves.
fewer students being able to afford education, fewer jobs, widening rifts between the haves and the have-nots, deteriorating infra-structure, more poverty, lack of trust and optimism......that is what boosts terrorism.

lack of hope, lack of safety net, anger and discontent.
look around. you dont need an enemy "out there."