Reply #19: I've thought Afganistan was a major mistake right from the beginning..

[Fumesucker]

I recall taking a great deal of abuse (not here on DU) when I stated that position.

Why is it that our leaders never seem to learn the lessons of history?

Afganistan violates every tenet of the Powell doctrine, even Colin Powell seems to have forgotten the doctrine named after him.

The Powell Doctrine states that a list of questions all have to be answered affirmatively before military action is taken by the United States:

1. Is a vital national security interest threatened?
2. Do we have a clear attainable objective?
3. Have the risks and costs been fully and frankly analyzed?
4. Have all other non-violent policy means been fully exhausted?
5. Is there a plausible exit strategy to avoid endless entanglement?
6. Have the consequences of our action been fully considered?
7. Is the action supported by the American people?
8. Do we have genuine broad international support?