Replicating the Vietnam finale!

[unhappycamper]

Replicating the Vietnam finale!
The Nation
By Khalid Iqbal | Published: January 4, 2010

A widely known reality that it is the Taliban (read Neo-Viet Cong) who rule Afghanistan outside the Presidential Palace and self-preserving fortified abodes of the occupation forces, has now been reconfirmed via a NATO source which has stated, "Taliban have their shadow governors in all but one province of Afghanistan." Yet, President Barack Obama laboured hard, at West Point, only a month ago that "Afghanistan is not another Vietnam." In the same vein, the other high marks of his speech were commitment for a speedy and effective employment of 'Surge II' and also the announcement about the withdrawal timeline.

Right at the outset, Surge II seems to be losing steam in terms of intensity and focus. Indications are that the envisaged timeframe for the complete induction of 30,000-strong contingent is expected to drag on. And the last contingent would not be fielded before November, against the initially envisaged timeline of August. Time lag reinforces the perception that the American war potential is overstretched and is unable to take further load without resorting to draft. Another option is to recycle into Afghanistan the troops who would be withdrawn from Iraq. The later line of action appears to be the likely option. It is feared that the troops shortfall for Surge II may be made up by inducting additional air effort, especially the unmanned component; the notorious drones.

As and when Surge II is operationalised, it would double the presence of occupation boots. Almost an equal number of followers and contractors could have come as a bonus. Moreover, direct war spending has crossed the one trillion mark, the US economy is in a nosedive and additional appropriations for war effort may no longer be tenable without having a telling effect on the social sector budgeting.

Opacity continues pertaining timeframe of various activities in terms of capacity and capability enhancement programmes. A major shock generator is the news that President Obama has not agreed to double the strength of the Afghan National Army as recommended by General Stanley McChrystal. This raises serious doubts about the US commitment towards post-withdrawal stability of Afghanistan.

~snip~

Due to foot-dragging by Pentagon, now the induction of Surge I&II largely resembles the patterns followed by President Lyndon Johnson in Vietnam and by President Gorbachev in Afghanistan, towards the end of their occupation. Thus, the end result of Obama's surges is not expected to be far different.


Rest of article at: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Columns/04-Jan-2010/Replicating-the-Vietnam-finale

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. duh

hope the embassy roofs are stronger these days

[Toots]

2. I see virtually no parallel between Vietnam and Afghanistan

Except for the fact our military is killing people in a foreign land. Other than that none. In Vietnam we were engaged with the third largest army on earth at the time. It was a Conventional War and there was a long term government with whom we were engaged and able to enter into agreements with and sign treaties with. North Vietnam was in no way similar to the Taliban.

[unhappycamper]

4. I must disagree with you.

We are killing Afghanis indiscriminately. Remember My Lai?

Afghanistan has a puppet government. So did Vietnam.

IEDs = punji sticks.

The VC more or less controlled the countryside.

Afghanistan reminds me very much of Vietnam.

[berni_mccoy]

7. People are killed indiscriminately in almost every war.

Ambush and booby traps are used in almost every war.

Who is the equivalent of the Soviet Union in this war? Vietnam was a proxy between US/USSR. Who is on the other side this time?

[Winterblues]

10. We were at war with North Vietnam not South Vietnam

North Vietnam had a Legitimate Government that is still intact. South Vietnam was the one with a puppet government. We signed the Peace Treaty with North Vietnam and it was North Vietnam that did not live up to the agreement. The very great majority of battles took place between NVA regulars and US troops. Khe Sahn was not attacked by Viet Cong, neither was Hue or Da Nang or Ple Kue or An Khe. All were attacked with battalion size elements or larger of uniformed conventional troops. In the case of Khe Sahn, it was surrounded by two Regiment size units and in fact enemy tanks were used at one point in a direct attack on the perimeter.

[Nikki Stone1]

11. Actually, there is an argument that Afghanistan is more like Laos, complete with drug trafficking

.

[Mari333]

3. knr

as long as the previous admin's policies continue to be enacted, and not prosecuted, we are involved in exactly the same way we were in Vietnam.
and right now, the Obama admin is just rearranging the war machine's deck chairs on the Titanic.


why dont we learn this is a scam and a racket.

yet, we are up against multinational corporations who want our children to be cannon fodder for their profits.

and thats all this is.

always has been.

[rgbecker]

5. Due to foot-dragging by Pentagon.....

Why doesn't the Pentagon want to fight for our freedom?

"Right at the outset, Surge II seems to be losing steam in terms of intensity and focus. Indications are that the envisaged timeframe for the complete induction of 30,000-strong contingent is expected to drag on. And the last contingent would not be fielded before November, against the initially envisaged timeline of August."

McChrystal will be long gone by the time the dying really kicks in!

[bvar22]

6. !

Meet Hamid Karzai
or as Obama calls him, "The Government of Afghanistan".

He was appointed by Bush the Lesser to run Afghanistan.
He is one of the most despicable criminals in The World,
But NOW we like him so much
that our children will be sent to DIE in the deserts of Afghanistan to keep him in power.

[Mari333]

9. k

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Complete with falling dominoes, "incursions', CIA assassination teams, and atrocities. K&R

Not to mention bankrupting our economy and cuts in social programs to feed the MIC.

[inna]

12. KR and Thank You!!

:thumbsup:

[TexasObserver]

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