President Obama calls this war "a necessity," but what does that mean? This war is nearly 9 years old and why is it being fought? How does it serve the U.S.'s interests? How does it help the 9/11 families? How does it benefit the Afghan people?
What is the U.S.'s strategy there? So far, it is endless war. To date, 962 American soldiers have been killed there and thousands of Afghan men, women and children as well. And those numbers keep growing. Why is this war allowed to continue?
Even with heavy U.S. military censorship, we learn of U.S. drone attacks that destroy Afghan and Pakistani homes and villages, killing or maiming ever more victims. The survivors are left to bury their family members and to forage for food and shelter. Would any of us wish this for ourselves and our families?
Hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent in Afghanistan since President Bush directed the U.S. invasion and occupation, calling it "Operation Enduring Freedom." But as there is widespread belief Afghan President Karzai rigged the last election, and is kept in power by the U.S. military, where is the "Freedom?"
That Mr. Karzai's government is corrupt and riddled with drug lords is well known and to defend it, is it worth the lives of America's soldiers?
Why not ask the Afghan people what they would like? If they want a U.S. presence at all, it might be for doctors, nurses and teachers.
Is this U.S. military occupation preventing another 9/11? Of course not. Even in Los Angeles for example, with a powerful police presence and a strong judiciary, there is no end to the criminality. Why would anyone think the situation could be better in Iraq, Afghanistan or any other nation the U.S. might invade and occupy?
As for the U.S.'s declared enemies, Al-Qaeda has become a global organization. They fight in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and could fight from Chicago and even New York City. The Taliban is now also entrenched far beyond Afghanistan. One could make a strong case the U.S. wars have played a key role in the growth of its enemies.
What is the solution? As the perpetrator and occupier, the U.S. could call for a cease fire and negotiate a settlement. The Afghan people would then govern their nation and the U.S. could bring its soldiers home safely to their families and save hundreds of billions of dollars desperately needed in America.
Dick [Last updated 4/13/10]
1 comment:
President Obama's adoption and perpetuation of the war in Afghanistan is an error of catastrophic proportion and, in my opinion, a crime against humanity. He had ample opportunity to evaluate what the previous, supremee-court-appointed president had created and could have elected to end it. His not doing that beggars the imagination.
Post a Comment