Afghanistan Plan

[volinbham]

Overall, I'm glad we are winding down in Afghan. I don't see much hope that we can do much more there.

I do question though the wisdom of building a considerable part of the plan on negotiations with the Taliban. It's quite telling that they launch an attack in protest to the POTUS visit and the agreement we signed with Karzai.

In short, it hardly seems that they are anywhere close to being a reliable negotiating partner.

Not sure what the alternative is though.

Suicide bombers kill 7 after Obama leaves Afghan capital | Reuters

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack which involved a car bomb and insurgents disguised as women on the eastern outskirts of the capital, killing seven people, a Gurkha guard and six passers-by, and wounding 17.

The Taliban said it was in response to Obama's visit and to the strategic partnership deal he signed with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, a pact that sets out a long-term U.S. role after most foreign combat troops leave by the end of 2014.

The insurgency also claimed their spring offensive, which began two weeks ago with attacks in Kabul, would be renewed on Thursday, despite a security clamp-down in the capital.

[hohenfelsvol]

Hard road to go down either way. Don't think the mission is over yet and won't be for a couple more years. That is from a defense stand point and from things I see happening. Obama like any other politician is posturing himself for the election with everything he does between now and November.

[rjd970]

There are strategic advantages to having forward operating bases in Afghanistan.

[volinbham]

It is a little embarrassing that 2 hours after we lay out an optimistic spin on negotiating with the Taliban they execute this attack specifically to protest our plan.

[OrangeEmpire]

Originally Posted by volinbham

It is a little embarrassing that 2 hours after we lay out an optimistic spin on negotiating with the Taliban they execute this attack specifically to protest our plan.

Election year?

[milohimself]

Originally Posted by OrangeEmpire

Election year?

Yeah, the Taliban finally have somebody put front. Hes kinda boring and nobody really likes him all that much, but karzai might be ripe to go down.

[dduncan4163]

Originally Posted by volinbham

Overall, I'm glad we are winding down in Afghan. I don't see much hope that we can do much more there.

I do question though the wisdom of building a considerable part of the plan on negotiations with the Taliban. It's quite telling that they launch an attack in protest to the POTUS visit and the agreement we signed with Karzai.

In short, it hardly seems that they are anywhere close to being a reliable negotiating partner.

Not sure what the alternative is though.

Suicide bombers kill 7 after Obama leaves Afghan capital | Reuters

At this point what other choice do we have? Its been nearly 11 years. The Taliban isn't going anywhere and the public has soured on this war. Bin Laden is dead and anyone who ever believed we were going to turn Afghanistan into a stable democracy was chasing rainbows. The Soviets, and British tried it and failed. The Mongols had some sucess because they didn't stick around for very long.

Afghanistan is home to people that have known nothing but war for generations. They are also very Patient.

I didn't like Bush at all but if I saw a Chinese tank roll down my street you can bet I would have become the biggest Bush Supporter in West Tennessee. No matter how much the majority of Afghans hate the Taliban at the end of the day they are still fellow Afghans.

I bet even GS would pick up a Gun and support Obama if Canada invaded and Knoxville and a Maple Leaf flew over his local Post Office.

Viva La Resistance and Death before Canadian Bacon on my Grand Slam.

[hohenfelsvol]

Taliban don't give a crap who's running. They hate whoever is in the oval office regardless of party and affiliation. Some folks in the White House don't seem to get that.

[volinbham]

Oh I agree - there is no good solution. Just commenting more on the timing of our pronouncement of negotiation and cooperation followed closely by the bombing.

[hohenfelsvol]

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

[therealUT]

I am confused as to why we need to negotiate a treaty; I am pretty sure that we can pack our **** and leave without one.

[lawgator1]

I would assume, based on what I've read, that the Taliban is now much more a loose confederaton of groups rather than a centrally commanded organized force.

That some group within their ranks would do this in protest of what perhaps other groups are doing, in terms of negotiating some resolution, is not surprising.

[dduncan4163]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/wo...pagewanted=all

We might draw it down but when I read this back a few years ago then I knew we were there to stay.

[myrobbins7]

Originally Posted by therealUT

I am confused as to why we need to negotiate a treaty; I am pretty sure that we can pack our **** and leave without one.

+1. I couldn't agree more.

[Gramps]

Originally Posted by hohenfelsvol

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

That policy brought us OBL the last time we were involved in Afghanistan.