Do you agree with the todays NYT's editorial that Europe should do more to fight the Taliban and Al Qaeda?

Question

Longhaired freaky person, maybe, but, ahem, Al Qaeda and the Taliban attacked our country and has vowed to annihilate the west, and, israel.
We had to attack Afghanistan my friend.

Answer 1

Yes. Europe is a pack of freeloaders. They're more than happy to have the Bush administration provide their military defense, and Bush doesn't mind the American people footing the bill.

Answer 2

I do not.

The Taliban are far away from Europe and do not ennoy us more than let's say the faith of Mon ethnic people in Burma (Myanmar). Why would we care ? They do NOT care about us at all.

Al Qaeda ? What's in a name ? I have the conviction that it is a label that covers many groups of terrorists and other criminals.
In many European countries, terrorists are CONVICTED and behind bars (not just thrown in camp !). That is acting according to our standards, our laws. It is what we can do. There are many joint efforts between the different countries to stop these forms of terrorism. Plenty of actions resulted in putting the bombers, attackers in jail, ... However, the nature of these enemies make it very difficult and we stick to our rule of thumb : legal actions.

We are not invited to join or refuse, we are pressure to, usually.
We are very grateful for what the Americans and their Army have done in the second world war especially and after that in helping to rebuild Europe.
However, we do not like to participate blindly in new conflicts, where interests seem to be oil (Iraq) and minerals (Afghanistan) or keeping the good old Russians out of the Indian Ocean (Afghanistan).

The general public in my country, and in many other European countries, is shocked by these wars, their cost, their reasons, the way it is all handles, and above all the way we were asked to join !

It will take many attacks by these terrorists, and performed on European territory, to change this attitude in my opinion.

Answer 3

Not entirely.

Instead of doing more, perhaps NATO forces and US counterinsurgency should have better cooperation, not to mention changing of methods. Of course, what keeps this from happening is Bush's "my way or the highway" approach to the Afghan conflict and the resurgence of Taliban militants. Nor does it help matters when Gates' own Joint Chief of Staff clearly stated that the U.S. military focus is "rightly and firmly in Iraq" (not Afghanistan).

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/12/11/us.afghanistan/

It also should be emphasized the increasing focus on the rise of poppy cultivation that is allegedly funding terrorist operations. The US now finds itself engaged in another "War on Drugs" much like it did during the 80s in Latin America.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/waronterror/a/afghanpoppy.htm

Answer 4

The entire world should do more. China should be involved in an effort to create (for their benefit not ours) a more stable economic climate for a more stabilized Global economy.
Sure makes me wonder what their "real" agenda is. The possibilities could be Earth shattering!

To Harry K---you should know that Canada has a sizable force in Afghanistan. I recently found this out and was surprised. I felt the same as you do now until this information was brought to light to me by another Yahooer. Check it out.

O.K. See your point far more clear now Harry. Thank you! Good Job.

Answer 5

Of course, the EU and Canada have been hiding behind the US protectorate umbrella long enough. However, because they have been taking advantage of the US for so long, they can't afford to fight. They are spending way too much on social programs that their military has atrophied.

Just look at Canada, Sea King helicopters falling out of the sky, used English subs stuck in drydock. I pity the poor enlisted Canadian or EU soldier.

To Rand C:

I know about Canada's NATO committed force in Afghanistan, there are about 2500. The point I was making was that both Canada and the EU don't have to spend as much on their military because they fall under US protection. It's about time they stepped up to the plate.

Answer 6

NY Crimes,huh! Somebody must've slapped them upside the head with a reality stick.

Answer 7

Yes!

Answer 8

Am not sure Al quaida is an enemy of Europe..

Answer 9

That is completely up to the European government. We are only affected when their mistakes put them in hot water and they call upon the USA to bail them out.

Answer 10

Sounds good they can die instead of us defending the world their part of the world.

We'll save big bucks.