This war is not about winning or losing – it is about freeing a region that became the breeding grounds for all sorts of terror organizations who were exporting their hatred and terror to all parts of the world. Would you not agree that Afghanistan was one of the most oppressed nations in the world just a decade ago? Today that has changed because of the efforts of more than sixty countries who are involved in this war on terror. Afghans are free to choose their own destination. Boys and girls have the equal opportunity to learn and seek education. People are not afraid to come out of their home to go the markets to make an honest living. Roads have been built. New school, college, and office buildings have been built. There is an infrastructure in place for future generations to build on. Comparing today’s Afghanistan to the Soviet-occupied one is totally wrong. Soviets left Afghanistan in ruins, while today most Afghanistan is re-built and looking forward to a better tomorrow.
This has not been an easy war by any stretch of imagination, but successes are evident in every section of Afghan society. A strong and vibrant security force has started to take over from ISAF all security duties for their country. There is a pride in what they are doing for their country. The future of Afghanistan is bright and so is the interconnected future of other countries of the region. They will also prosper from a peaceful and stable Afghanistan…. Is that not victory for all who seek peace?
I read the text that I have highlighted in red with much awe and respect. It seems that the region in question ‘were’ exporting terror, i.e past tense … which means you have achieved your goal, so kindly leave Afghanistan … Or is there unfinished business?
Then your very next statement in orange is totally out of context with the one in red. If your concern was about a nation exporting terror, then how does that in any way link to Afghanistan being oppressed? We’re not dummies here.
Then compare the two parts in green, first you say it’s not about winning … (that’s like what the teacher used to tell us in prep school … It’s not about winning, but about having fun), sadly I think US forces et al have been having far too much fun killing families in the name of collateral damage. Anyway I digress … Compare your two statements in green … So is it about victory or not?
I really want to respect you CENTCOM but it won’t happen until you start being peaceful in your approach … not merely in your desired end plans … and secondly take a course in logic … Too many fallacies in one post … I give you a big X on your logic paper …
May I ask how you define oppression? Dont you forget who you replaced the Taliban with? What destination are the Afghans free to choose? Karzai or Karzai?
I am personally glad that the Taliban were removed from Afghanistan and it could have only ever have been by force. Their interpretation of Islam was suffocating Muslims as it was seen as the right way. After 2001 many started to question issues like what rights women had in Islam, was Islam really that rigid in its interpretation and so forth. I am glad the Taliban were kicked out because they did not represent the Afghan people and were a puppet regime sponsored by Pakistan. I would hate to see an anti-Pakistan regime in Afghanistan but they should have their own free country.
People were free to go to the markets before 2001 too. Their was not much in the work of development that is true.
The reality is that neither the Pakistanis nor the Americans are in tune with what the Afghans think or want. Many Afghans are angry with Pakistan for the role it has played in its destruction and the fact that OBL was found far away from the Afghan border in a city which is a major part of Pakistan.
There is a lot of talk about the US forces killing in Afghanistan but they are not the only ones. The Taliban are no angels and many innocent people have died at their hands past and present.
I have a feeling that Pakistan will play a heavy price for the past and current meddling in Afghanistan. It could end up being the graveyard for both Americans and Pakistan. Pakistan has not invaded it but it has supported groups against one another, something which will come to haunt it.
The Americans /NATO/ISAF could gain a lot of support if they were not as carefree with the lives of Afghans as they have been. Also you supported people who were no better than those you ousted in terms of human rights.
I do not wish to see NATO/ISAF leave Afghanistan now until it settles, if it ever does, simply because they keep many countries which border Afghanistan from meddling. The last time the world forgot about Afghanistan look what happened. I know they are not bothered about the people but just want to keep their national interest. I suppose under the current system there is an element of freedom and people do get the chance to question, something which could never have happened under the Taliban. People in Pakistan are brain washed to think the Taliban are the rightful rulers of Afghanistan.
Call it what you like, but if after NATO leaves, the Taliban manage to return to power, that will mean that the entire 10 years of this War were a waste.
It cant be success if everything unravels as soon as you leave.
If you break something, which you then glue back together, only to see it shatter soon after, means you never actually fixed it.
I wish you guys the best, but lets stop kidding ourselves.
“it not about winning or losing” that’s because you have lost.
we have seen enough american terrorism from US army mutilating dead bodies, cutting off ears and noses to make sick souveniers, to Us soldiers urinating on dead bodies and to senior US senior army cowards killing 16 people many kids in there sleep.
it is clear to many america is great at fighting wars in hollywood movies but in reality it different story.
10 years on in afghanistan you have lost the physical battle and you have lost the battle of hearts and minds This is your second veitnam you lose…
We’re not dummies here.
that’s because you have lost.