Referring to Afghanistan invasion, there were originally two announced goals: 1. Get Bin Laden 2. Neutralize Al-Qaida.
Now, it isn’t so difficult to decide what to do next. Simple! If mission has been accomplished, that’s end of the game and that’s it.
On the other hand, however, there is an ongoing problem with “Taliban militancy.” They belong to the country’s opposition class unofficially - having civil issues and civil remedies. Yes! Culturally, the Pashtuns are raised with guns in their hands and are specially trained to fight any invader at whatever cost.
Now, If President Obama decides to leave the troops where they are at the moment, Pentagon feels more than happy, yet the president is likely to face a political backlash which may cost him his presidency in 2012 elections. Hence; a political calculus over military strategy carries more weight indeed.
Nevertheless, a number of defence and political pundits in Washington feel that Pres Obama was initially stuck in the middle of an intersection, yet facing another difficult scenario where he was somewhat puzzled - not knowing exactly what to do with Afghanistan.
However, he ended up choosing the best “preservative” essential for longevity of his own job in the US presidency for the next term.
Now the US is desperately looking for a political solution via bringing the “angry Taliban” to the negotiating table. Unfortunately, the Afghans have already suffered a lot from the dumb war. Moreover, President Hamid Karzai has already revealed that the US is in talks with Taliban.
Luckily, the opinion polls released hours before the Obama’s address suggest that as many as 65 percent of the Americans are opposed to this war. VOW!
Finally, the US authorities are going ahead with their "pullout plan" to move all combat forces out of Afghanistan by 2014, after full 13 years as envisioned by Donald Rumsfeld.
But, reduction of 10,000 troops this year and 23,000 by next summer before the total pullout in 2014 is not only too little but is too late as well. Thus, a larger and faster withdrawal is necessary to save the unhealthy economy from total ruin.
Had the US been lenient and vigilant enough in the beginning, it could have solved all the disputes on the negotiation table. The nasty war would have been completely avoided. Amicable solution of the disputed issues is always available if there is a will. Surely, a huge collateral damage of property and loss of several thousand innocent lives could have been averted.
Instead, Obama trippled the troop strength creating a major war and a major expectation that US would prevail against the Taliban and destroy the phenomenon of terrorism. But, all in vain - Mr. Obama now knows very well that the Taliban are still undefeated. It isn’t hard to figure out who is defeated instead.
Clumsy political kids always make mess; hence it is harder to figure out what and how much US has gained from this war exactly.
So ironic, Obama in his speech only mentioned about Americans killed in this war but uttered no word on Afghan or Pakistani deaths or collateral damage done to thousands of innocent civilians, who were killed for no fault of theirs.
Who is responsible for all those deaths? Who will pay for the long occupation and devastation of a country that has already suffered so much?
US officials maintain that threat has been effectively neutralised in Afghanistan, the US would withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan, whereas the remainder of 57,000 or so soldiers are staying behind.
As the US looks ahead to its “phased withdrawal” from Afghanistan,yet its eyes are actually on Pakistan as next adventure in pursuit of the remains of al Qaida, if any.
Since, the huge cost of deployment and human lives has actually attracted criticism from congressional leaders as well as the public, President Obama (running for re-election) needed to reassure the American public that the end of the war was near. So he managed to please all the concerned.
Financially straining, there is an extremely big "monthly $10 billion" price tag on the Afghan conflict.
On top of that a slower economic recovery is among the factors affecting the president’s recent verdict.
“Over the last decade, we have spent a trillion dollars on war at a time of rising debt and hard economic times,” Mr. Obama said. “Now, we must invest in America’s greatest resource: our people.”
Usually, foreign occupation is counterproductive. It gives rise to dependency cycle for the invaded land which is heavy burden upon the tax payers of the invading country.
The USSR invaded Afghanistan in search of a gateway to the warm water port in Pakistan or Iran. The Soviets couldn’t stand the tough resistance by the proud Afghans backed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the US of course.
If the military intervention makes no sense, the objective should be an immediate withdrawal. There is no need for a decade-long deployment of the US troops. The USSR returned home and the US is almost getting out. A destroyed country full of dead ones is going to be left behind.
The effort to transfer responsibility for security to Afghan forces remains unimaginable as the Afghan troops are still unfit for the job. An ongoing Corruption in President Hamid Karzai regime continues to be rampant; hence is thought provoking for the Afghanis and Pakistanis.
Well done! Mr President, you have finally realised to refocus your energies on the economic development of your own people.
Now, it isn’t so difficult to decide what to do next. Simple! If mission has been accomplished, that’s end of the game and that’s it.
On the other hand, however, there is an ongoing problem with “Taliban militancy.” They belong to the country’s opposition class unofficially - having civil issues and civil remedies. Yes! Culturally, the Pashtuns are raised with guns in their hands and are specially trained to fight any invader at whatever cost.
Now, If President Obama decides to leave the troops where they are at the moment, Pentagon feels more than happy, yet the president is likely to face a political backlash which may cost him his presidency in 2012 elections. Hence; a political calculus over military strategy carries more weight indeed.
Nevertheless, a number of defence and political pundits in Washington feel that Pres Obama was initially stuck in the middle of an intersection, yet facing another difficult scenario where he was somewhat puzzled - not knowing exactly what to do with Afghanistan.
However, he ended up choosing the best “preservative” essential for longevity of his own job in the US presidency for the next term.
Now the US is desperately looking for a political solution via bringing the “angry Taliban” to the negotiating table. Unfortunately, the Afghans have already suffered a lot from the dumb war. Moreover, President Hamid Karzai has already revealed that the US is in talks with Taliban.
Luckily, the opinion polls released hours before the Obama’s address suggest that as many as 65 percent of the Americans are opposed to this war. VOW!
Finally, the US authorities are going ahead with their "pullout plan" to move all combat forces out of Afghanistan by 2014, after full 13 years as envisioned by Donald Rumsfeld.
But, reduction of 10,000 troops this year and 23,000 by next summer before the total pullout in 2014 is not only too little but is too late as well. Thus, a larger and faster withdrawal is necessary to save the unhealthy economy from total ruin.
Had the US been lenient and vigilant enough in the beginning, it could have solved all the disputes on the negotiation table. The nasty war would have been completely avoided. Amicable solution of the disputed issues is always available if there is a will. Surely, a huge collateral damage of property and loss of several thousand innocent lives could have been averted.
Instead, Obama trippled the troop strength creating a major war and a major expectation that US would prevail against the Taliban and destroy the phenomenon of terrorism. But, all in vain - Mr. Obama now knows very well that the Taliban are still undefeated. It isn’t hard to figure out who is defeated instead.
Clumsy political kids always make mess; hence it is harder to figure out what and how much US has gained from this war exactly.
So ironic, Obama in his speech only mentioned about Americans killed in this war but uttered no word on Afghan or Pakistani deaths or collateral damage done to thousands of innocent civilians, who were killed for no fault of theirs.
Who is responsible for all those deaths? Who will pay for the long occupation and devastation of a country that has already suffered so much?
US officials maintain that threat has been effectively neutralised in Afghanistan, the US would withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan, whereas the remainder of 57,000 or so soldiers are staying behind.
As the US looks ahead to its “phased withdrawal” from Afghanistan,yet its eyes are actually on Pakistan as next adventure in pursuit of the remains of al Qaida, if any.
Since, the huge cost of deployment and human lives has actually attracted criticism from congressional leaders as well as the public, President Obama (running for re-election) needed to reassure the American public that the end of the war was near. So he managed to please all the concerned.
Financially straining, there is an extremely big "monthly $10 billion" price tag on the Afghan conflict.
On top of that a slower economic recovery is among the factors affecting the president’s recent verdict.
“Over the last decade, we have spent a trillion dollars on war at a time of rising debt and hard economic times,” Mr. Obama said. “Now, we must invest in America’s greatest resource: our people.”
Usually, foreign occupation is counterproductive. It gives rise to dependency cycle for the invaded land which is heavy burden upon the tax payers of the invading country.
The USSR invaded Afghanistan in search of a gateway to the warm water port in Pakistan or Iran. The Soviets couldn’t stand the tough resistance by the proud Afghans backed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the US of course.
If the military intervention makes no sense, the objective should be an immediate withdrawal. There is no need for a decade-long deployment of the US troops. The USSR returned home and the US is almost getting out. A destroyed country full of dead ones is going to be left behind.
The effort to transfer responsibility for security to Afghan forces remains unimaginable as the Afghan troops are still unfit for the job. An ongoing Corruption in President Hamid Karzai regime continues to be rampant; hence is thought provoking for the Afghanis and Pakistanis.
Well done! Mr President, you have finally realised to refocus your energies on the economic development of your own people.
