Rethinking Afghanistan

First off, in my view,

• the original US military operation in Afghanistan should have been designed to last only a few short weeks.
• The US should have had several clear objectives, and when those objectives were achieved (or not achieved) within a certain time frame, the US military should have pulled out of Afghanistan.
• Out initial goal should have been ``Shock and Awe".
• After our military was out, we could then could have used a ``carrot" and threat approach to attempt to weaken the Taliban's control over the Afghanistan population.

In part, what I’ve stated above is my understanding of the Colin Powell lessons learned from Vietnam; that is, always have clear objectives, and have an exit plan.

Secondly,

• I was strongly against the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Ok, enough crying over split milk. Things didn’t go well, so what can be done now?

Clearly President Obama wants — needs — the US involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq radically reduced before the next Presidential campaign begins, so he must be eagerly looking for an exit strategy in both countries. From a political standpoint Obama cannot allow these wars to drag on and on, but on the other hand it would be a disaster for him politically, if the Taliban took back control of Afghanistan. It would also be disastrous politically for Obama, if either a despot or an anti-West government took control of Iraq. So before the next Presidential election Obama would find it politically difficult to leave either country, unless a stable pro-West government is in place. (After the next Presidential election, Obama might be willing to cut and run a la Richard Nixon.)

On 22 SEP 2009, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top US military officer in Afghanistan, announced the US would be pulling back from remote areas in Afghanistan, and would focus on more urban areas where the US military could have contact with the Afghanistan people. McChrystal’s mention of the ``Afghanistan population" suggests a recognition that the solution ultimately is one of socioeconomics, not military strategy.

It is my hope that Afghanistan and Iraq will end the US’s history of misguided military adventures. (Adventures begun by politicians and provocateurs.) Having said that, I must also say that I am grateful for all the wonderful folks in the US military. I’ve been blessed to live in areas where I’ve had military folks for neighbors, and when I worked as an adult social worker, in my younger days, most of my coworkers were spouses of military. Military folks are the finest folks. Bless ‘em. I wish them safety, and good fortune. They are in my thoughts constantly.

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Another view.

Comments

[Karen Quah]

If we agree to disagree, can we still be friends?

I'm sure the initial operation was designed to last a short period of time. I can't imagine Bush entered it thinking, we're going to stay here longer than both World Wars combined. Shock and Awe still discounts the difference of terrain, mindset, culture...

Whatever the strategy was, it highlights the arrogance of the Bush administration in thinking the eradication of "terrorism" would be as easy as marching into both Iraq and Afghanistan, saving the civilian population from their respective regimes, and emerging heroes of the free world. When will they ever learn?

I do agree with you however on the invasion of Iraq - it should never have happened - and the awesomeness of the military folk. Both in the US and allied countries. I cannot begin to imagine the courage and sacrifice of these people and their loved ones. They are also in my thoughts.

[Tim Null]

Karen, I doubt our friendship could be in jeopardy. Not unless you're a Republican! (Just kidding, I have a Republican friend!)

Do we really disagree?

You want the US military to get out of Afghanistan.
I want the US military to get out of Afghanistan.

See, we're in full agreement! TGIF! ;)

Joking aside, I'd love to have the US military out of Afghanistan, but, as I stated above, I don't see it happening before the next US Presidential election.

Why do I think this? Let me put it in plain English. If President Obama returns Afghanistan to the Taliban, he'll lose the next election, it's just that simple.

But nothing is set in granite. The political climate could change, and Obama might withdraw the troops as some sort of "October surprise" during the next Presidential election. And, of course, if the military families turn against the war, and march on Washington, the whole political landscape will totally be altered to such a degree that all bets will be off.

[Karen Quah]

You have a Republican friend? Lol, how open-minded of you.

Okay, agree to agree.

President Obama is in a non-enviable lose-lose position. If he returns Afghanistan to Taliban, he loses support. If he stays in Afghanistan and goes for main option which seems to be an increase in troop numbers, he also loses support.

What is interesting of late is that like his allies, he has remained comparatively silent with regards to the situation and his intentions. I guess we shall have to wait and see.