The aim of the Taliban is as it has been for generations, to drag a superior opponent into a protracted engagement that has rules for only that opponent. In doing so, time and
Not much about this picture has changed in a thousand years.
perception become their friends. The longer our fighting forces remain in theater, the more likely we are to see these types of horrific anomalies. Military personnel are human beings and thereby affected in very human ways by traumatic events. Granted the fighting soldier is unique in that his training mitigates some of the horrors of war, but never entirely. Eventually, and in relation to the sheer number of boots on the ground, something is bound to crack.
I want to be clear here in that I whole heartedly support our brave men and women in harms away. I believe unequivocally that you can’t support the troops and not support their mission. With that said, we now find ourselves in the position of having achieved somewhat of the objective sought after 9/11 by smashing al-Qaeda and killing bin-Laden. Unfortunately, the mission has slowly become one of nation building in a country that seems to collectively want none of it. Consequently I see only two choices.
- Saturate the battlefield and terminate with extreme prejudice everyone and/or thing that stands in the way of complete and total victory, at which point we may save the next generation of Afghans for freedom sake. Or-
- Pull up our tents pegs and get our troops home to their families as quickly as possible, and leave these people to their own devices.
If there is a lesson to be learned from the great wars, it was that full throttle warfare very often results in a timelier end to hostilities, thereby saving lives. It is important that we not now snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on this one, if for no other reason but to reward our Soldiers for their efforts and accomplishments in the name of free people everywhere.
The events in Afghanistan of the last day are a tragedy to be sure. However it is important for our leaders to send the right message. Condolences, prayers and whatever help is necessary for those left behind, but with a tag of urgency rooted in the reality of their living in a war ravaged country for far too long. It is becoming increasingly obvious that if the Afghan people truly desire to be masters of their own fate, and join with the international community in civility and peace, then help in facilitating the proper and expeditious transition of an appropriate national posture is of the utmost importance. (Translation) – step up and take back your own country. The alternatives are listed above. One way or another, it’s time to end this thing.
