GOP Congressman: Afghanistan is a 'medieval' country

[sabra]

Source: The Hill

Nation-building in Afghanistan is a tough proposition for the United States since it is a "medieval" country, Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) told a local editorial board on Monday afternoon.

The freshman lawmaker said that the a rebuilding project similar to what the U.S. undertook in Iraq would unlikely to achieve success in Afghanistan because the latter is "medieval" and the former is a "20th century country."

Roe added that winning "the war" there would take "decades." He emphasized that the government needs to re-evaluate the mission there and define victory in the conflict against Taliban and al-Qaeda insurgents.

"I believe unless we’re willing to make a commitment to stay there for decades, I’m not sure how you can be successful,” he told the Johnson City (Tenn.) Press. "And why do I say that? Well, the whole (gross domestic product) of the country is 20 percent of what it’s taking us to put into the military right now. They need basic infrastructure — roads, water, sewer, schools, education. Those take a long time to build."

He said that the military should not pull out troops now because terrorists would be able to establish a stronger foothold in the war-torn nation.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/60723-gop-congressman-afghanistan-is-a-medieval-country

[ShortnFiery]

1. And they want to wipe Israel off of the Map TOO! Or is that Iran?!? Damn I'm so confused!

:evilgrin:

[no_hypocrisy]

2. And so is our country. We hang our census takers.

[louis-t]

3. Uh, it's the 21st century, Phil.

Dumbass.

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. No, he's saying Iraq is stuck in the 20th century, while Afghanistan is medieval.

Frankly, we're stuck in the 20th century, too. Our infrastructure, our health-care system are SO last century. I'm hoping the new administration can bring us into the 21st century.

[musiclawyer]

4. I know lots of lefties who think the same thing

but would put it more delicately. Hell, the book "After the Empire", written by a Frenchman, has a whole chapter on how Islam has not had its reformation yet and the best thing for the West to do is just leave them alone. I'm not sure I agree completely, but the congressman is not saying anything new