Afghanistan: A war worth fighting?(Discussion)

[Aquila]

I was talking to some friends at work about the war in Afghanistan and some questioned if it was even worth fighting and seeing American soldiers die. As I understand it our objectives are:

- Defeating the Taliban
- Facilitating effective economic development
- Establish an honest and effective Afghan government

Are these goals attainable?
If so will the results be worth the cost?
If not what are our other options?

I intend this to be a discussion. There's no real wrong or right answer, it's simply a matter of how you feel or what you think personally. I know the discussion may become heated or intense at times, but let's try to maintain the bonds of brotherly love.

[Shawn]

I don't know if anyone will agree with me....


Defeating the Taliban seems like a good reason.....but the next day they'd have 1000 new recruits......


Overall, I think it's time for America to worry about......America. before it's too late.

[TJJJ]

Having studied the previous attemps by both Russia and Britain, I feel Afghan is a lost cause.

At the height of the Russo/Afghan war Russia had 120,000 troops there. They were next door neighbors so they did not have the logistical problems we face.

Yet they still lost.

This is throwing money down a rat hole!

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I was talking to some friends at work about the war in Afghanistan and some questioned if it was even worth fighting and seeing American soldiers die. As I understand it our objectives are:

- Defeating the Taliban
- Facilitating effective economic development
- Establish an honest and effective Afghan government

Are these goals attainable?

Yes-- they are attainable and our policies should put Afganistan "on the road" to achieving these milestones BEFORE we consider pulling out.

We need a troop surge-- maybe double of what was sent in to Iraq and we need to keep troop levels consistent for at least 3 years as the President and the diplomats work out the other necessary details.

Besides, (and this is the least of the concerns, but it is problematic) the politics that will ensue once a DEMOCRAT pulls the troops out without attaining these goals will be brutal-- esspecially for President Barack Hussein Obama, and that's being nice about it.


If so will the results be worth the cost?


Well I heard Wal-mart had a sale on justice and peace, buy one and get two free!

When discussing the "War On Terror", our fight in Afganistan is justified and well worth the costs, even if it should cost my life.

My conviction on the Afghan fight is very, very deep and virtually unmovable. I don't think I am the only Servicemember who shares this view. It is beyond important that we win, regardless of the costs-- stopping short of destroying our own country in the process of defeating the Taliban and acieving our other goals that are shared by us and the people of Afghanistan.

The Afghan fight is NOT just about us.

The one non-Taliban leader who never gave into the pressure of the Taliban and ruled his people with justice and peace was assassinated 9/10/01 by Bin-Laden's people in exchange for training space.

There is so much more to the Afghan fight that what meets the eye.


If not what are our other options?

Our only options are to attain our goals or put Afghanistan "on the road" to attaining our goals.

Pulling out now or anytime within the next 12 months would be nothing less than defeat for America-- a defeat handed to Americans by a country whose citizens live in mud buildings, by a group of people who will begin an unfettered reign of terror on their own citizens once they realize that no one in the world will stop them.

The Taliban must and will be defeated.