Reply #31: Why not go back further than that to the creation of modern day Afghanistan [View All]

[karynnj]

with borders that represented nothing but convenient lines on a map?

I agree that knowing the history is essential, but it is also important that policy start with where you are. There is no time machine available to go back and change the decisions that have led to this bad state that President Obama now faces. The fact is that President Obama has stopped to consider a major policy change - at great political risk. Senator Kerry backs him doing so in his op-ed and he outlines the questions that need to be answered to determine what strategy will have most potential for achieving Obama's goals - which have been stated as avoiding destabilizing Pakistan and preventing AQ from having a safe haven. (In committee, it has been Senator Kerry who has pointed out that AQ WAS not in Afghanistan.)

At this point, Senator Kerry is likely the strongest voice, other than maybe Biden, against the hawks in Obama's administration who want to greatly expand the war. You might do well to at least read the opening statements at the SFRC hearings last week - or watch the one this week.