A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

[mAd_ScIeNtIsT]

First, the retreat of militant forces into civilian areas after carrying out an attack must be condemned completely because they put the civilians’ lives in danger.

But look at the response. How do you deal with 2 men with automatic rifles who retreat from launching a rocket strike, and go into a nearby compound that may or may not be populated?

a) Ignore them
b) Send in soldiers to surround the complex and search it for the militants?
c) Drop a 2000lbs bomb on it, that has such a powerful blast that it would completely obliterate anything within a 50 yard radius and would leave a crater up to 45 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep, large enough to accommodate a double decker bus.

Option a) would leave you never able to win the war.
Option b) might cause you some casualties
Option c) would kill both men with their rifles without risking any of your own soldiers, but also risk massive civilian casualties that would inspire more than 2 men to join the militants for revenge.

Guess what - in Afganistan, they go for Option c) and then blame Pakistan for not doing enough to stop the militants…

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aHrFeFAnK44o&refer=asia

The U.S. military blamed insurgents for endangering the lives of civilians after nine Afghans were killed by an air strike north of the capital, Kabul.

Coalition forces called in air support after their base near Nijrab in Kapisa province came under rocket fire, the military said in an e-mailed statement. Two rebels were seen entering a nearby compound, which was destroyed by two 2,000 pound (907 kilogram) bombs.

Nine people from the same family including a six-month-old child were killed, the Associated Press reported. The March 4 air strike came hours after at least eight civilians were killed in a gunbattle between U.S. forces and suspected Taliban fighters in eastern Nangahar province.

Coalition forces observed two men with AK-47s leaving the scene of the rocket attack and entering the compound,'' said Lieutenant Colonel David Accetta, a U.S. military spokesman, in the statement. These men knowingly endangered civilians by retreating into a populated area while conducting attacks against coalition forces.‘’

[mercenary2k]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

What USA and NATO needs to realize that Afghanistan will always remain like this.

It will never be a democracy but a bastion of warlords, drug lords, militants and never ending feudal wars

USA should adapt a policy of containment in Afghanistan.

[mangifera_indica]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

What USA and NATO needs to realize that Afghanistan will always remain like this.

It will never be a democracy but a bastion of warlords, drug lords, militants and never ending feudal wars

USA should adapt a policy of containment in Afghanistan.

Why do you say that?
After all, Afghanistan was once rich and prosperous. It was the place where the Greek, Persian and Indian civilisations met.
I remember reading somewhere that Afghanistan(Gandhara) was the richest and most populous province of the Persian empire.

[Khehkeshan]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

And once Muslims were the most educated, Europeans the most backward, things change.

[Mr_Fraudia]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

Why do you say that? After all, Afghanistan was once rich and prosperous. It was the place where the Greek, Persian and Indian civilisations met. I remember reading somewhere that Afghanistan(Gandhara) was the richest and most populous province of the Persian empire.

yeah pakistan messed it up...ISI used that damn delorean to go back in time and dick around...

[Matrubhoomi]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

Why do you say that? After all, Afghanistan was once rich and prosperous. It was the place where the Greek, Persian and Indian civilisations met. I remember reading somewhere that Afghanistan(Gandhara) was the richest and most populous province of the Persian empire.

No need to go back till ancient times....Just look 60 years back when British were ruling the Indian subcontinent, they too were making our freedom fighters believe that this part of the world can't survive without their rule.

One can say Afghanistan is not a British ruled colony, but a large part of it has become a "Colony" of "religious extremists" only difference this time, instead of British, there are Taleban and Al Qaeda Inc. who wants others to believe that Afghans can't survive without radical religious ideology!

And "other countries" who have some "hegemonic interests"- less said about them will be better.
USA has nothing to do with Afghans and their well being though at the moment they are sincere in their efforts to eliminate extremists (after 9/11 shock), everyone knows they were the one who once supported them.

[mangifera_indica]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

@Fraudz

yeah pakistan messed it up...ISI used that damn delorean to go back in time and dick around...

I never even mentioned Pakistan in my post! well this just shows your deep-seated bias.

I hope you DO know that Gandhara was a very rich province. It's mentioned in Mahabharatha too. The people of Gandhara were called Gandharvas, i think. They supposedly had magical weapons too.

[hareem01]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

I never even mentioned Pakistan in my post! well this just shows your deep-seated bias.

I hope you DO know that Gandhara was a very rich province. It's mentioned in Mahabharatha too. The people of Gandhara were called Gandharvas, i think. They supposedly had magical weapons too.

Before destroying a nation God make them go mad....
Thats what happening to us.

[mAd_ScIeNtIsT]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

I remember reading somewhere that Afghanistan(Gandhara) was the richest and most populous province of the Persian empire.

They spent too much of their prosperity on enjoying life and failed to keep militarily strong, and paid the price.

Prosperity is nothing without using it to wield force.

[USResident]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

Guess what - in Afganistan, they go for Option c) and then blame Pakistan for not doing enough to stop the militants.....

You know this might be somewhat true however the rise of Mullahism in Pakistan has a lot to do with this as well. If we do not trample this wave of Muallahism in Pakistan it will cripple the country. And for the record I am not anti-religion but infact a practicing one myself but ignorance has no bounds in Pakistan quite honestly. Afghanistan is just trying to play a muder trial, you don't need to prove you are innocent but just make others believe someone else is guilty.

[mangifera_indica]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

They spent too much of their prosperity on enjoying life and failed to keep militarily strong, and paid the price.

Prosperity is nothing without using it to wield force.

I seriously doubt it. Gandhara had been a battle ground for centuries. It was first conquered by the Persian Empire, then by Alexander, and then the Mauryan Empire, then the Kushanas, Indo-Bactrians, the huns, the muslims and who not!

[mAd_ScIeNtIsT]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

^^

Your order is messed up :p

[mangifera_indica]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

^^

Your order is messed up :p

Its all right now I think.I had written "Mughal" instead of "Mauryan".:)
I don't think Mughals conquered Afghanistan....

[mercenary2k]

Re: A symbol of what is being done wrong in Afghanistan

Who cares what Afghanistan once was but what it is today

It is a country riven by corruption, warlords selling drugs to finance their private armies, religious extremists and pashtun nationalists fight forces of moderation.

Afghanistan is a black hole and its best just to seal the border and keep that mess contained