Reply #13: If that were definitely true I might agree...

[paulkienitz]

...but I just heard a poll which says that we are actually NOT viewed as invaders by the majority of Afghans nowadays, and according to this poll the Taliban are significantly less popular there than we are. Now that could very possibly be a fake-ass poll, but for now I have no reason to take your opinion over it.

Also, you said "it's conceivable that efforts could slack off or fall apart entirely at any time." Sure, that could happen... but it's not what's happening now. Let's take advantage of the opportunity while we have it. We may have taken more out of Al Qaeda in the last six months than in the six years before that, and I say let's keep that going as long as we have a chance to.

One thing we should definitely try to do while there is make their next election as honest as possible, so whatever happens we're not propping up a puppet kleptocracy. If they end up voting for Islamists, we can leave. If they honestly elect pro-westerners who asks us to stay and help, then we're stuck.