Article

2006-05-19 Afghanistan

Experts say Taliban making a comeback, blame Iraq war

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Posted by Dan Darling 2006-05-19 01:23|| || Front Page|| [11137 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The British and the Russians both learned the hard way that Afghanistan's a pretty tough place to govern. Everyone complains the Bush administration -- which I believe is completely and utterly butchering the Iran crisis -- doesn't learn from its mistakes. No one seems to note how well they have learned from the mistakes of others in history. It is not feasible at reasonable cost to impose order on a place like Afghanistan by ramping up boots on the ground. The enemy -- and those of ambiguous status -- will react to what one does. Lots of troops on the ground can easily be seen as part of the problem rather than part of the solution, or can become a permanent crutch. Institutions need to arise endogenously, out of the will, desires, and needs of those who live there. In the case of Aghanistan, this means that there will be periodic resurgences of the enemy, but these can be managed as they arise. Most importantly, the Afghan people need to learn to deal with the Taleban on their own in the long run.

Posted by Perfessor 2006-05-19 09:59|| 2006-05-19 09:59|| Front Page Top

#2 "Thanks Caroline. Here. Here's a rifle. Care to join our troops?"

Chickenhawk meme? You dont need to be a soldier to make a comment on strategy. Either shes wrong or shes right (im not sure - more troops in themselves wouldnt hurt, but there are less obvious uses for them than in Iraq, and the political situation has in the past been very unfavorable for any but the lightest touch - maybe thats changed now that Afghan has govt with internal legitimacy for the first time since the monarchy fell, but I dont know)

Posted by liberalhawk 2006-05-19 10:02|| 2006-05-19 10:02|| Front Page Top

#3 The talliwackers are making a comeback because they have a safe-haven in Pakistan. We played that game in Vietnam, with sanctuaries for the NVA and Viet Kong in Laos and Cambodia. Have we learned nothing? We need to start whacking the people in "Balouchistan" daily, and dare Musharrif to do anything about it. A few ARCLIGHT strikes along the eastern edge of the border would do wonders on making the taliban unacceptable 'guests'.

There are no 'civilians' in this war - there are only participants and supporters. It's time to quit playing kids games and go to war, like we did in WW II and Korea. The rest is just getting people killed for no reason.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2006-05-19 15:25|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2006-05-19 15:25|| Front Page Top

#4 New York University's Center on International Cooperation.

Center for American Progress, a Washington-based policy research group.

With experts like these, who needs smug, arrogant pontificators?

Posted by Xbalanke 2006-05-19 15:40|| 2006-05-19 15:40|| Front Page Top

#5 The supply lines for more troops would run through...

Once you answer that question, you'll know why Caroline and Nazif are in academia and liberal think tanks.

Posted by Rob Crawford">Rob Crawford 2006-05-19 15:43|| http://www.kloognome.com/]">[http://www.kloognome.com/] 2006-05-19 15:43|| Front Page Top

#6 After this week, 100 or so of them will have to "comeback" from the dead.

Posted by tu3031 2006-05-19 16:06|| 2006-05-19 16:06|| Front Page Top

#7 Another circa 2003-2004 meme floating in a trial balloon. Will this one stay aloft through the Fall 06 elections? Only time and a few IPSOS polls will tell....

Posted by Seafarious">Seafarious 2006-05-19 16:32|| 2006-05-19 16:32|| Front Page Top

#8 Ditto Old Patriot.

Posted by Besoeker 2006-05-19 17:05|| 2006-05-19 17:05|| Front Page Top

#9 "Chickenhawk meme?"

I think it is called "considering the source"?

Posted by Fordesque 2006-05-19 19:17|| 2006-05-19 19:17|| Front Page Top

#10 Afghanistan is not the center of gravity. We have yet to attack the real threats. Save our troops (NATO too) for the real Islamic threats of Iran, the Arabian peninsula and eventually Pakistan. Quit trying to do everything for every people. Otherwise they become passive/aggressive and useless. Let the Afghans decide whether they want to fight and for which side. Better to get our most of our troops out of there, hire 100,000 Tadjiks and Uzbeks for 5% of what are spending and let them get payback on the Pashtuns.

Posted by ed 2006-05-19 19:54|| 2006-05-19 19:54|| Front Page Top

#11 Pakistan is becoming a problem that grows exponentially by day. That Perv isn't frightened by the smack that's coming to the NWFP any day to clear this nest, makes one wonder just how deep Al Q has him in their pockets. And who's financing them? And how does this feed into Iran?

There are games afoot.

Posted by Thinemp Whimble2412 2006-05-19 20:32|| 2006-05-19 20:32|| Front Page Top

#12 Are these the same "experts" who were trying to sell the "Brutal Afghan Winter"™, etc., etc., a couple of years ago?

Sure, I'd listen to them.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut"> Barbara Skolaut 2006-05-19 23:34|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/page/15bk1/Home_Page.html]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/page/15bk1/Home_Page.html] 2006-05-19 23:34|| Front Page Top

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