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Yes, We Can
By Lt Col P
Saw this yesterday at work, but being at work and therefore unable to post, I had to put it off til now.
The answer is, YES.
I had a fine list of reasons why this is so, most of which would come as no surprise to this community, but since Uncle J beat me to it, I'll save a minute and point you his way.
Everyone say it with me now, YES WE CAN. We know how, and have forces to do it. Let's hope the folks at the top are as committed to victory as the troops on the ground.
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Comments
First, we need to have a realistic goal set for victory in Afghanistan. There are several I can think of, none of which involves transplanting western-style liberal democracy to the region. But we can still have a stable ally in that country.
Second, we need to realize it will take time. Think Iraq was hard? This is Afghanistan... the graveyard of empires.
Third, we need to drop all the macho swagger bullshit and realize the Taliban for what they are... a committed and capable foe. Remember their bar for victory is a helluva lot lower than ours. For them to win, they simply have to make sure they don't lose.
It's going to be a time game. Our country just about spent itself on Iraq when it came to stomaching (is that even a verb?) casualties. I don't know how much patience we have left for another four or five thousand dead. That's likely what it'll take... at a minimum.
Obama has the chance to make real history here... the first time a world power has achieved victory in Afghanistan. Let's hope he (and his advisors) don't screw it up.
LtCol P, you're right... our soldiers in the field have the will to win (of that there is no question). In the end though, that won't matter. It's the will of the American people and their political leaders that will count.
@GregS
I agree with your point.
"the oval office is not the place for on the job training" -- yeah!
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As long as we have a CIC that insists on talking "down" our efforts in Afghanistan, I'd have to say "No we can't".
You can make the argument that the war in Afghanistan is the "right" war, since it began as a direct response to the 9/11 attacks (and I don't mean to suggest that Iraq was a "wrong" war - I'm just making the argument). That having been said, it is deplorable that we now have a President who chooses to undermine our efforts in this conflict.
Obama once again proves the statement, first made about Jimmy Carter, that "the oval office is not the place for on the job training". His lack of foreign policy acumen is astounding, and will lead us down the road to ruin.
But don't worry, he'll still be portrayed as a hero.