01-18-2019, 02:43 PM
(01-18-2019, 02:13 PM)Dill Wrote: Let me tweak this a bit, Au.
We did defeat a "foreign born organization," the Taliban, in their own country. This is is not unprecedented.
And it is arguable that the US could have led a basic reconstruction which prevented the return of the Taliban as an effective force.
Briefly, the Taliban were created by insecurity, specifically the anarchy and violence of warlords unrestrained by any code of justice. Offer the Afghans a third choice and most would take it--or would have in 2002.
When the US drove them out, there was a chance for a redo. Even though A-stan is not a real country with a functioning federal government, support of tribal and community leadership, plus aid for schools and roads--directed by the military, not contractors--could have eliminated the conditions which bred the Taliban. Instead the US decided against "nation-building" and returned the warlords to power, an especially bad move in the Helmand and Kandahar, where the Taliban got their start. The warlords private prisons opened again. A third to a half the occupying force was removed to Iraq in 2003, opening vast swaths of A-stan to returning Taliban. And when they began returning, US attack helicopters and drones began shooting "insurgents" everywhere.
As far as leaving now, not only are Al Qaeda and the Taliban re-rooted in A-stan, but also ISIS. Now staying is not about saying "we won"; it is about preventing another 9/11.
The taliban was never gone. It had dwindled but it was NEVER gone. Which is my point it’s like cancer, it wasn’t cured only in remission. I stand by what I said we cannot defeat a foreign born organization inside their country. We can move them into remission but unless we plan to occupy every place indefinitely then it cannot be done. The ideology behind these organizations are deeply rooted in their own cultures and way off life in many cases. Guns and bombs can push it into hiding but it’s an ideology your really fighting.
