why is it that so much attention is focused on Iraq and the war there that it seems as though whats going on in Afghanistan has been pushed to the background?
we have already caught the "bad guy" in Iraq - shouldnt that now be a "peace keeping mission" and the focus set back on Afghanistan and Bin Laden ?
2006-10-11 14:07:05 · 6 answers · asked by johnnys_angel_82 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
maybe i am just partial b/c this is my husbands 2nd tour there for the same reason -- I want him back just as much as any other spouse would - But since I cant have him right now I at least want his efforts to be recognized.
2006-10-11 14:31:20 · update #1
well ... this is to frank ... thanks for the life history of war and etc. but really what you said has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Afghanistan seems to be forgotten by the media for whatever reason. Kudos on the informative facts tho.
2006-10-11 16:02:24 · update #2
Catching Osama means the GOP can't scare their little sheep into voting for them again. Terrific job security, but dangerous governence.
2006-10-11 14:10:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
First we were never in Iraq or Afghanistan for peace keeping. It was an attack and we can not suddenly turn from an invader to a policeman...we are still there and regarded by the majority of Iraqis as unwanted. The terrorist attacks that occur would decrease if we withdrew. If you read your history books, you will find that many countries tried to control Afghanistan over the past, and all have failed, as the terrain is hostile, and the enemy is wily. I suspect that the US leaders wanted to cut their losses after taking control of the more heavily populated areas. It is nearly impossible to rid the mountains of terrorists and they work in small units whereas we work in force...so they can use hit and run tactics while the Americans grind along. The Russians tried and went home with their tails between their legs...and their army, equipment and air force are not unlike our own. The only possibility for success would be a 'scorched earth' policy and no nation in the world would tolerate that. Iraq is very similar and our chances of success are slim that we can abate the terrorism. 9-11 set off a impetus to do something to retaliate for our losses, and it was beyond Bush and other politicians to control the emotions of the moment...in other words, he had to do something showy and forceful but I am certain that there was a great deal of reservation because of the no win situation of Vietnam being repeated. In Vietnam and in Iraq, you can't tell the good guys from the bad guys as it is a guerilla war (politically correct term now is terrorists), guerillas (called Freedom Fighter, cadres, Underground, or saboteurs) are difficult to route out...I believe it is in the ratio of 230 soldiers to one guerilla. The problem is that the US has maintained a superiority complex and has not tried to negotiate out problems before they became critical...as we have in North Korea. That problem should have been fixed nearly 50 years ago. But we wanted to punish North Korea and Vietnam for finessing us in the wars...so economic sanctions...and we are paying today for that superior attitude. We supported the corrupt Shah of Iran, supplied Saddam with money, Noreiga, Batista, Marcos, Ngo Dien Diem....all of whom worked against their own people for power and wealth...and this is the way "We win hearts and minds of those people"?
2006-10-11 14:43:09 · answer #2 · answered by Frank 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am glad other people are asking the same questions I am. The focus has always been on Iraq. The only reason we invaded Afghanistan was to chase Bin-Laden and when that failed, it gave our esteemed president an opportunity to lay the blame on yet another person. It just hasn't been the cake walk of death the Armed forces said it would be. It just needs to be turned over to the UN and we need to refocus on the real culprit, Bin Ladin. If we had just stayed after him he would be in custody by now.
2006-10-11 14:29:58 · answer #3 · answered by Alexander 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems forgotten, as the US, coalition and NATO forces thought they had defeated the Taliban. They are now back in full force, reaking havoc along the tribal regions bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. President Mussareff(sp) is stuck between a rock and hard place as many in his government support the Taliban and there is no border patrol between the two regions to stop the Taliban from roaming around...it's like they've got free reign.
2006-10-11 14:21:51 · answer #4 · answered by olliebee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree, it seems the media forgot about it. I know a couple of men who are still there fighting . We have not forgotten them.
2006-10-11 14:16:33 · answer #5 · answered by LoveMyLife 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We are loosing there too
2006-10-11 14:13:44 · answer #6 · answered by st_creations2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋