so we're in Afganistan for the long haul now, Why?

[onethatcares]

I was under the impression that the U.S. of A. was on the hunt for OBL in the tribal regions tween Paki and Afganistan, but we're spending alot more time tracking down the Taliban and AQ. The Russian were there for a long time too, it brought them to their knees and they left.

Is it the pipeline to the Caspian Sea being the real prize in this war action, or are we bringing democracy again?

This is a serious question. I just don't understand our motives for building schools and promoting womens' rights there when our country has been neglecting our educational system and still hasn't ratified the ERA.

Thanx.

[NightWatcher]

1. oil pipeline

er I mean, terror or freedom or something Nationalistic

[AzNick]

20. Actually, this time it is working ...

Turns out that the Bush tactics did not work in Afghanistan, especially cutting and running.

The new tactics are better conceived and involves hurting the Taliban economically as well as cordoning Afghanistan from Pakistan.

Al Qaida is hurting even more, as they are suffering on two fronts: 1-they are taking casualties and 2-they are having issues replenishing their ranks, as Obama has appealed to the Middle East and to the Muslim populations in general for renewed relations with the United States.

It seems that showing people respect helps in your relations, somehow.

Eventually we will make a peace deal with the Taliban, bribe them, reduce Al Qaida to an insignificant level, and slowly get our asses out of there.

Before 2012 would be ideal and would add to the "lookie what I've done" list for Obama when he seeks his reelection.

[JuniperLea]

2. We're cleaning up the mess Bush left by abandoning our troops there...

And going after Iraq instead.

How soon we forget... jeez.

[Rick Myers]

5. Exactly...

BushCo abandoned our troops in Afganistan!!! Now we need to stablize the situation and GTFO, Get The Fuck Out!!!

[JuniperLea]

14. We could have been in and out of there if Bush had stuck to what was important...

Instead of chasing Poppy's long lost enemy for NOTHING!

Remember how abandoned the troops felt? Man, what an ugly scene that was.

[applegrove]

22. Yup.

[Karmadillo]

3. If we don't spend lots of money on war, people will want to waste it on health care and education.

nt

[MichiganVote]

4. Not politically feasible to leave it as is---yet.

[jody]

6. Why? IMO no one in Obama's administration has a rational answer. n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. which would suggest that a rational answer is not there, right?

Google" map of oil pipelines in Afghanstan"
Google: same with "gas" pipelines
google: map of military bases in the Middle East
then look at map of PORTS where the pipelines end.

And you will see, as many did 10 yers ago, 5 years ago, 2 years ago and now, the same thing.

[jody]

15. Understand but pipelines are very vulnerable and it's highly improbable any invading force could

protect a pipeline against the Pashtuns who are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan and compromise over 95% of the U.S. enemy, the Taliban.

[jody]

18. Mea culpa, that should have been "comprise" and not "compromise". n/t

[ixion]

7. Pax Americana... the Empire continues

despite the change in rhetoric.

[bemildred]

8. Because "failure is not an option", just like always. nt

[maxsolomon]

9. they do not want to leave a vacuum

that will quickly be filled by the Taliban back in power.

basically they want to fill in the hole bush and his gang of idiots dug there, without pointing a finger of blame at them.

they want to see if they can, by conducting a serious campaign in the afgan south, interrupt the flow of opium and cut off the Taliban's funding. also to "stabilize" the country enough to allow elections and win back the trust (or tolerance) of the populace by curtailing air strikes.

you have to do this in the summer because you can't travel as freely in the winter. the taliban will hole up, re-arm, and wait for spring. the less money they have to do that with the less fighters they can support.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

11. Pictures of the place we presently still find ourselves, most of

them breathtaking.

http://avalon.unomaha.edu/afghan/index.htm

[sandnsea]

10. Helping girls to get an education

is a far cry from passing the ERA.

That's the same kind of reasoning Republicans in Orange County use when they're trying to avoid paying for education in East L.A.

[latebloomer]

12. I can't believe that people still think

that we are trying to do something altruistic in that area of the world.

It is about empire-building and control of resources. Just like it's always been.

It is an obscene waste of life and money that we can ill afford. Can you imagine what we could do for people, at home and abroad, if we shrunk this horribly bloated military budget?

Obama looks and sounds good, but if he had not agreed to go along with this travesty he would not have become a serious candidate for president.

[sandnsea]

16. Those girls need education

Regardless of any other reason we might be there. The reason they hate us is because people like you are more than happy to use their oil, but don't give a shit about what happens to them otherwise.

[Fumesucker]

17. Do you honestly think the US military gives a crap about these people?

The US will never, ever spend the kind of money on humanitarian aid that it will on bombing the ever loving shit out of people.

Not enough profit in it.

[G_j]

19. 9/11

wait, that was Bush's reason

EIGHT YEARS AND COUNTING!
they are about to add more troops,
lots of contractors there too!
:shrug:

[dysfunctional press]

21. because pakistan is nervous about india.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8zX5MGfCQE