Eugene Robinson Why are we in Afghanistan for the long haul?

[xchrom]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/leaving-yet-staying-in-afghanistan/2012/05/03/gIQADCB1zT_story.html?hpid=z2

Show of hands: Does anybody really understand the U.S. policy in Afghanistan? Can anyone figure out how we’re supposed to stay the course and bring home the troops at the same time?

I’m at a loss, even after President Obama’s surprise trip to the war zone. The president’s televised address from Bagram air base raised more questions than it answered. Let’s start with the big one: Why?

According to Obama, “the United States and our allies went to war to make sure that al-Qaeda could never use this country to launch attacks against us.” I would argue that U.S. and NATO forces have already done all that is humanly possible toward that end.

The Taliban government was deposed and routed. Al-Qaeda was first dislodged and then decimated, with “over 20 of their top 30 leaders” killed, according to the president. Osama bin Laden was tracked to his lair in Pakistan, shot dead and buried at sea. To the extent that al-Qaeda still poses a threat, it comes from affiliate organizations in places such as Yemen and from the spread of poisonous jihadist ideology. Al-Qaeda’s once-extensive training camps in Afghanistan have long been obliterated, and the group’s presence in the country is minimal.

[malaise]

1. He's right n/t

[leveymg]

2. There are still Roman garrisons all over the place.

Now, it's our turn to leave ruins behind.

[Robb]

5. That's in England.

Point made, but it's a little green for Afghanistan.

[leveymg]

11. Hadrian's Wall in Cornwall. As I said, all over the place. As for Afghanistan, a bit of

liberty taken. Greco-Roman. No question about Alexander and the Macedonians there. Left behind a lot of nice stonework and plunder in Afghanistan:

[Recursion]

12. And Greek ones in, of all places, Afghanistan (nt)

[Logical]

3. He is 100% correct! I am waiting for the defenders of Obama to reply!

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Haven't we already been "in" Afghanistan since Prez. Carter?

Or is it just the black man that is held accountable?

[Logical]

14. Really?

[frylock]

15. there must be a godwin's equivalent to the race card

[Scuba]

4. How soon we forget...

http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/06/ap_afghanistan_mineral_discovery_061410/

[KG]

6. well, Mr Robinson, that the prez deems it so should be good enough you.

so stop with the negative priming. sheesh!

[ProSense]

7. Robinson's opinion

As Obama knows, however, polls indicate that Americans are weary of this war. He told the nation Tuesday night that 23,000 troops would be withdrawn by the end of the summer. This will reduce troop levels to about 65,000 — still far above what Obama inherited in 2009. By the end of 2014, Obama said, “the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country.” But how many Americans will remain? And, again, why?

At that point, Obama said, we will leave behind just enough personnel to support the Afghan government in counterterrorism operations and provide continued training for Afghan forces. At present, however, we’re in the midst of a counterinsurgency campaign of the kind that takes decades, at best, to succeed. If we’re going to switch to counterterrorism in a couple of years, why not just make the switch now?

...at least doesn't make up numbers and throw around hyperbole. In fact, he asks the right question, which advocates speeding up the process, getting out now instead of 2014.

Though the dynamics in Afghanistan are slightly different, the Iraq withdrawal (http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=637814) offers a model for how the administration will likely proceed.

[Logical]

16. So you think Obama is wrong on this issue???

[marmar]

8. Imperial misadventures will do us in sooner than later.

nt

[xchrom]

9. well not too soon i should hope -- we're just getting started in asia! nt

[MadHound]

13. Easy answer, we're there for the long haul

So we can keep the MIC well fed and cared for for years to come.