| General Lloyd Austin |
Despite the fact that many Americans have expressed the opinion that US troops have been in Afghanistan too long, Austin believes that continuing military efforts, "would certainly reassure the Afghans, it would also reassure our NATO allies that we remain committed." With most Americans concerned with reducing the deficit, the removal of forces in Afghanistan is seen as a great way to cut spending. However, General Austin rebuts that this is unwise. Austin believes that if we abandon Afghanistan now, their forces would not be strong enough to resist Taliban intrusion.
Obviously, the Afghan population should be confident when we finally pull our forces out, but is it worth delaying Obama's plan in order to provide this assurance? Do you think Afghanistan is strong enough now to begin taking the reigns from the US military?
2 comments:
Though I am no military expert, I just cannot believe that "peak strenth" is necesary at this point in time. Obviously, maintaining a stock of troops in any hostile country is "reassuring" in multiple ways. However, there is a point at which it is no longer practical (the costs exceed the benefits, if you will--econ connection!). Simultaneously, there is a "moral duty" aspect to the situation that leaves me conflicted. I honestly cannot predict whether the removal of troops will lead to numrous deaths in the civilan populatio due to Taliban attacks. Even in this situation, however, the phrase "peak strangth" is just too much.
While I can sympathize with Afghanistan for wishing to resist the influence of the Taliban, I feel the US has done enough to help. We cannot keep babying the Afghans; they have to eventually learn to take care of themselves. As noted, we have our our problems to take care of, such as the deficit. Thus, I feel it is not worth delaying Obama's plan.
Austin could, however, be correct that the Taliban will regain power once the US leaves Afghanistan. However, a poll showed that about two-thirds of Americans have had enough with this (and the Iraq) war. Still, Karzai and the Afghan military say they are ready to handle the responsibility. Hopefully, they are correct.
On the other hand, this article gives a fairly bleak view on this issue. Chris Mason believes that "the puppet government" under Karzai is doomed to fail without enough popular support, just like Vietnam. He claims that the military suffers from deserting members and non-reenlistment. He believes that civil war is inevitable because, like in Vietnam, the insurgents will gain ground against the unpopular government.
In conclusion, I believe that regardless of the outcome, we ought to leave Afghanistan because there is nothing left to gain by staying there. As Paniz noted, the costs have vastly outstripped the benefits of maintaining military forces in Afghanistan. Obama seems willingly to let the Afghans handle their own affairs soon, and thus it is his judgment that we should have faith in and hope is correct. The majority of Americans want to leave, and the government should respond.
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