Increase US Troops in Afghanistan?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

no, but al qaeda is has a lot of terrorists in Afghanistan and on the Pakistan/Afghan border. It is important that we straighten out the mess in Afghanistan.

I'm in the minority view about the Iraq war. While it should have never happened to begin with (and I would NEVER believe that it was a Bush personal war). I dont think pulling out all of our troops is the answer. What is going to happen to that country if we just up and leave? I think our government should be very sure of an answer to that question before we leave. Just as we SHOULD HAVE been sure of what was going to happen when we invaded Iraq (something that was grossly miscalculated by Bush & crew)

i think our job in iraq is as done as we can get it. it's up to them now...

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i think our job in iraq is as done as we can get it. it's up to them now...

I'm just worried about the country totally imploding (sp?) after we leave and then becomming a hot bed for terrorists to build strength.

I feel it is important to carry out our mission of democracy over there now that we started that mess. It is so unstable in that region (the whole middle east) that I worry if we turn a blind eye, even for a second, all hell could break loose.

[GPK]

A few opinions offered on the situation in Afghanistan. Interesting to read what some "experts" think

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.c...hanistan/?8dpc

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

I'm just worried about the country totally imploding (sp?) after we leave and then becomming a hot bed for terrorists to build strength.

I feel it is important to carry out our mission of democracy over there now that we started that mess. It is so unstable in that region (the whole middle east) that I worry if we turn a blind eye, even for a second, all hell could break loose.

pulling troops out, and putting them where needed, isn't the same as turning a blind eye. but we can't force democracy, and i don't think having a presence will sway the citizenry in that direction. if anything, it will only exacerbate any feelings of resentment-and we're an easy target for any placing of blame when things go poorly. things for a while there have been much better-maybe not as good as here for example, but certainly a far cry from what it's been for years in iraq.
honestly, with the current oil prices, now is the time to leave-as those in the area can't afford to cause problems!

[SOREHOOF]

I'm surprised this thread didn't take off. This is going to become a very big issue in the near future. I'm all for pulling some troops out of Iraq, but let's bring them home. I don't think an increased presence is a good thing in Afghanistan, This is a country that is fiercely proud, and very tribal. They have to want to do this themselves or it will never work. This is nothing like Iraq. An escalation into Pakistan is not a longshot. That might not turn out like our "experts" think. A lot of people who were skeptical of our Government for many years are all of the second backing every thing the government does. NEWS FLASH! These people are the same people who have been screwing things up, nothing has changed. All good points on this thread.(except maybe mine!)

[hi_im_god]

i have opinions and i can type.

but when it comes to decisions like this i like to defer to smarter, better informed people.

think what would happen if the pentagon actually listened to internet generals.