Article

2019-08-11 Afghanistan

Petraeus Cautions Trump Over Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan

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Posted by trailing wife 2019-08-11 00:00|| || Front Page|| [12 views ] Top

#1 He says that the Taliban have clearly indicated what they will try to do once US forces are gone: overthrow the Afghan government and reimpose medieval rule.

He's probably right.

The problem is that Petraeus has advocated imposing key aspects of 'medieval rule' on Western nations in order to appease the enemy.

'Medieval rule' in Afghanistan only is preferable to 'medieval rule' in Afghanistan and the West.

Posted by Elmerert Hupens2660 2019-08-11 01:40|| 2019-08-11 01:40|| Front Page Top

#2 Do we still care what General Petraeus, ret. has to say?
If he is right, "Yes!"
I hate peace deals.
A peace deal with terrorists like the Taliban is worthless.
Until the Taliban is defeated the drone strikes should continue.
I share all of Petraeus' concerns.
But I have an even bigger concern than Muslim terrorists.
A worse concern is that an appeaser should become POTUS.
All Democrats scare me more than the Taliban.
God forbid a Democrat be in power of my own country again like just recently.

Posted by boomerc 2019-08-11 03:09|| 2019-08-11 03:09|| Front Page Top

#3 It is simple. If you are not prepared to kill thousands, exit. And don't go back, to 'teach them democracy' or some such elevated inanity. I think getting one's own military, domestic contests and rogue legislators in order is more important right now.

But that's just my opinion.

Posted by Dron66046 2019-08-11 04:07|| 2019-08-11 04:07|| Front Page Top

#4 Number 3 pretty well sums it up.

Posted by Besoeker 2019-08-11 04:15|| 2019-08-11 04:15|| Front Page Top

#5 Colin Powell said, "The purpose of the Army is to kill people and break things." Sounds like it might apply here. Bravo #3.

Posted by SR-71 2019-08-11 06:04|| 2019-08-11 06:04|| Front Page Top

#6 He says that the Taliban have clearly indicated what they will try to do once US forces are gone: overthrow the Afghan government and reimpose medieval rule.

Yes, hundreds possibly thousands of years of history will somehow repeat itself. Did we really need for a Phd, 4 star general to tell us that ?

Posted by Besoeker 2019-08-11 08:06|| 2019-08-11 08:06|| Front Page Top

#7 Afghans are fierce warriors when fighting for lands and family. The US and allied presence have so far at least taught them what is at stake. Continued supply of armaments and funding (to the right parties) can see to it that they get a fighting chance.

No one on earth will suffer a Taliban governed landmass the size of Afghanistan to exist next to Pakistain. This situation doesn't require the US to concentrate so much on it. Eventually, everyone in Asia will have to step up and contain the turbans. Even if not, there will likely be a conflict for control between Taliban and the Pakistain military-politician nexus. And Pak will bleed for it. Which is just as well.

The truth about Taliban leadership is, their convictions are ultimately as hollow as their personas. Meaning they are as mercenary as a Chinese factory owner skimming money and doling pennies for life endangering labour. Their seasonal loyalties are negotiable.

In time, this dynamic has got to implode, faced with economic realities and the rolling-on of modernism. There will be a very violent fight, yes. But Afghan nationalism is now firmly rooted, it will not give up with a whimper. Petraeus may be rightly apprehensive of the Taliban plan to ravage when you leave, but he underestimates the momentum of a people now inclined to self-rule rather than be intimidated by the camel dung collective.

Posted by Dron66046 2019-08-11 08:42|| 2019-08-11 08:42|| Front Page Top

#8 "Don't abandon my COIN!" - D. P.

Posted by Skidmark 2019-08-11 10:23|| 2019-08-11 10:23|| Front Page Top

#9 ...But Afghan nationalism is now firmly rooted, it will not give up with a whimper. --Dron66046

Really? Is there really an Afghanistan? Or are we talking about Pashtun Ethnic Nationalism alloyed with narcoterrorism here? Pashtun Irredenta! Down with the Durand Line!

Posted by magpie 2019-08-11 12:17|| 2019-08-11 12:17|| Front Page Top

#10 ...I agree with #3. Why are we still there? What are we trying to achieve that can be accomplished in the real world, not some fantasy?

Posted by magpie 2019-08-11 12:19|| 2019-08-11 12:19|| Front Page Top

#11 Down with the Durand Line!
Posted by magpie

Remind me again who it was that came up with this bit of genious ?

Posted by Besoeker 2019-08-11 12:30|| 2019-08-11 12:30|| Front Page Top

#12 I think it was Clausewitz who prescribed a gradated scheme of preference while launching new wars or entering conflicts, on the basis of 'exceptional rewards' only. In most cases that came after Korea, the US has been jumping into conflict where have been neither 'exceptional rewards', nor any gratitude by those liberated or protected.

My point with the Afghan people is, there's no takeaway again. Even if you remain and 'manage expectations' to kingdom come, at the cost of troops' lives and the taxpayers' money, these are not people who cannot be turned again, to hate you later for some reason.

They have learnt enough about how profitable a legal, systematized government can be, for some. They have been trained and armed enough. Now let the Pashtun fight the pashtun over and over again until Asian govts have to intervene. China will certainly have its tiny hands mired in goo for a negotiating with turbans, and they'll leech those chicom coffers dry.

If there was ever a case of Seirra Echo Papa, it's this.

Posted by Dron66046 2019-08-11 15:54|| 2019-08-11 15:54|| Front Page Top

#13 Dron66046, can you define "Seirra Echo Papa" for us please. I tried looking it up and there's no define expiation as to the meaning of SEP, it appears to be too common and covers a lot.

Posted by Seeking Cure For Ignorance 2019-08-11 19:44|| 2019-08-11 19:44|| Front Page Top

#14 = Seek Explanation of Phrase

Posted by George Whavins3620 2019-08-11 23:51|| 2019-08-11 23:51|| Front Page Top

23:56 Clem
23:51 George Whavins3620
22:39 3dc
22:32 3dc
21:02 Procopius2k
20:49 trailing wife
20:04 JohnQC
20:02 JohnQC
19:46 Frank g
19:44 Seeking Cure For Ignorance
19:42 Thing From Snowy Mountain
19:29 jpal
19:15 Dron66046
18:57 Lex
18:40 Glenmore
18:31 Besoeker
18:18 jpal
18:12 Dale
18:07 Phaick Uneretle6310
18:01 Dale
17:57 3dc
17:57 Phaick Uneretle6310
17:05 M. Murcek
17:00 M. Murcek