Article

2003-11-12 Afghanistan

NATO Leader: More Troops for Afghanistan

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Posted by Steve White 2003-11-12 12:42:26 AM|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 the fact that France, etc. don't increase their role in Afghanistan, where they nominally supported the war should give pause to anyone who thinks that US unilaterism is keeping them from helping in Iraq.

I agree with Steve that part of the problem is that their armed forces aren't up to snuff but another part of the problem is the economics of it. The cost of fielding personnel overseas is high and much of Europe has stagnating economies

Posted by mhw 2003-11-12 7:54:43 AM|| 2003-11-12 7:54:43 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 On one hand, military inadequacy. On the other hand, economic problems.

On the gripping hand, they want us to fail.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2003-11-12 8:28:16 AM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2003-11-12 8:28:16 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 I agree with Steve that part of the problem is that their armed forces aren't up to snuff but another part of the problem is the economics of it.

That really doesn't apply to Afghanistan, since the cost is mainly of fielding light infantry, rather than heavy forces, which are more expensive to maintain. The sad truth is that the French would rather not help in any endeavor in which the US has a real stake.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2003-11-12 10:49:38 AM|| 2003-11-12 10:49:38 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 The cost of putting troops, even light infantry, on extended foreign deployments is expensive. Regardless, the traditional NATO countries are rich by any measure. They can afford to do this. The question as always is whether they have the will. Unfortunately, we know the answer to that one all too well.

Posted by remote man 2003-11-12 1:09:08 PM|| 2003-11-12 1:09:08 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 I'm certainly glad we never had to actually fight the Soviets with these marshmallow soldiers. War is not fun, but most of these nations have been occupied in the recent past. Guess it's that "short attention span" at work again.

Posted by Old Patriot 2003-11-12 5:56:30 PM|| [http://users.codenet.net/mweather/default.htm] 2003-11-12 5:56:30 PM|| Front Page Top

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