The Afghanistan Decision

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Afghanistan is not a country as it is an amalgamation of tribes. It had a long standing monarchy that lasted from 1747 to the mid-1970s, ruling over Islamic people. One might think if they have not progressed by now, perhaps they never will. In modern times, what is it that they obstruct? The Chinese know that the region is a source of copper. What is it that Afghan people represent that warrants caring? I personally am unable to come up with worthy answers that would justify nation-building.

Because the place harbored al Qaeda who attacked my homeland, the tribes however they are organized are held responsible. Punishment is exacted by military attack and invasion. Intended is to make the experience so undesirable that they do not let this happen again. Crude means are used to modify the behavior of crude-minded people.

Elaborate political arguments can be made that explain the root causes that create terrorists, but in the end, punishment and prevention result in military and sometimes diplomatic action. In a place like Afghanistan, diplomacy is ineffective because there is no effective central government with which to deal. Without this, there is no military and domestic police with which to work to effect desirable outcomes.

Therefore, the US attacked, and exacted some punishment. The US government attempted to create a form of democratically elected government, though without adequate resources to build a nation, the effort has failed. With insufficient contribution from the free world, the circumstance is unsustainable.

Many Obama supporters expect him to conclude that further investment in the place is unworthy. The result will be to withdraw with exception of finishing business along the Afghanistan and Pakistan border that will result in the location and annihilation of al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden.

Many anticipate that the long-awaited strategy will be to finish the business and to withdraw from the region with a stern warning to any people that to tread on the USA will result in a robotic attack of disastrous consequences to our enemies.

Similarly, justification to linger in Iraq is based mostly on the need to stabilize the region to keep the oil flowing. Other than that, the USA has little interest in devoting scarce resources to the nation as the maximum investment has already been made, albeit, unwisely.

If Obama makes what I think is the best decision, that is to withdraw, American conservatives will complain, and what will Europeans say?