The war in Afghanistan

Still pouring

It is too early to tell whether the new strategy in Afghanistan is working

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Readers' comments



"Concerted attempts to woo Pakistan into becoming a more reliable partner are producing little in return." Obama should stop pouring aids to Pakistan and take a harder line on them. They just want to delay the war by aiding the US and the Taliban. They're not taking any side, but they are just taking advantages of both sides.

What about Bob

Even IF Afghanistan is won, it is a giant waste of money, and will continue to be a leech forever. That is why the DDR failed after the soviets pulled out, not militarily, but Soviets were no longer subsidising them.


If an occupation army widely advertises that it is dying to withdraw and publicises a timetable thereof, with the provision that the natives quiet down a little bit first. Any rebel will be too happy to take advantage of the hospitality of his Pakistani neighbours for a few months. There is plenty to time to come home and blow up more people later.

In war, either you admit defeat and withdraw, or you fight until all your enemhy is destroyed. Telling the enemy to lay low for a few months so you can withdraw makes no sense. If you have lost your will to fight, why not just get out now, why wait any longer?

Can someone please tell the king that he has no clothes on?


Of course the strategy is failing.

It is doubtful that the mainly illiterate police force is improving in quality, and clear it is mired in corruption.

To paraphrase a depressing recent 60 Minutes feature on the police: training just makes a corrupt policeman a slightly better trained corrupt policeman.

How many years do we have to listen to periodic reports from the military about slow progress in Iraq and Afghanistan - while the price tag and resentment grows?


....Concerted attempts to woo Pakistan into becoming a more reliable partner are producing little in return.

If we cut out the crap and stick to reality; for Pakistan to become a reliable partner, the country will be on a sure path to suicide. Several episodes in Pakistan's short history has taught the country beyond doubt that America can never be trusted. By organizing,funding, training, housing, and leading the Afghan and Pakistani Mujaheddin, Pakistan and the Mujaheddin not only defeated the Soviet Union, they bankrupted it at the same time. The west was handed free victory gift wrapped in Afghan and Pakistani blood. What did Pakistan and Afghanistan got in return? SANCTIONS! Do you think the Pakistani masses have forgotten? America has had nothing but transactional relationship with Pakistan. America was never a friend nor will it ever be. Pakistan has to look after its own interest and its own people first. Pakistan has one true, time tested all weather friend; that country is called China. Why should Pakistan bother with a Charlton?


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