France and Taliban: Family spats vs. real enemies

There are political disputes that are much akin to family spats, and then there are political disputes where the parties are real enemies.

The difference between the two is that while, in the first case, the two parties dislike something about one another but do not wish to destroy one another, in the second case they do.

I am of course talking about the difference between the anti-American sentiment in places like France and United Kingdom and the anti-American sentiment in the Taliban. The French criticise America, but the French do not seek America's destruction. The Taliban does.

It is important to understand the difference between the two and to handle the matters accordingly. One doesn't bomb the people who criticise oneself but who are one's allies; one does bomb the people who wish one's destruction. France, for one, is America's first ally who not only were formative to America's institution of democracy but also provided crucial assistance during the Revolutionary War. And while there are many areas of serious disagreement between France and America, the French do not seek to destroy America, and both countries in the end prefer that the other do well than that the other do poorly.

With Taliban the situation is totally different. The Taliban want America destroyed. There is no element here of any kind of kinship, friendship or basic caring; they are a real enemy. 

This means that dealing with France requires much different approach from dealing with the Taliban. 

And it's also important to see the difference in any number of situations that are there, whether or not they are political.