The U.S. has no strategic interest that warrants a long term military presence within Afghanistan. The decision to occupy the country was foolhardy given the history.
The question remains: will America be in imminent danger if the Taliban return to power in Afghanistan? If so, the U.S. must prepare for the eventual return of non-friendly forces in the region.
Pulling the troops out now would likely create a power vacuum that the Taliban would surely take advantage of.
America has influence in the region, and can reward good behaviors and punish bad behaviors, but America cannot police the region. Ultimately, these people must settle their own differences.
Another U.S. presidential election will pass before this conflict ends for the U.S.
Yuddaman - 9 years ago
There must be something going on that we have not been told about. Just over a year ago, Obama was ready to get out of Afghanistan and bring our troops home. Now he's not. Could it be that ISIS is ready to sweep into Afghanistan and Obama is hoping to hold them off until he's out of office so the next guy will be blamed? It's all too possible.
Rantner - 9 years ago
Given the present reality of the situation, I don't think he had many other feasible choices.
The U.S. has no strategic interest that warrants a long term military presence within Afghanistan. The decision to occupy the country was foolhardy given the history.
The question remains: will America be in imminent danger if the Taliban return to power in Afghanistan? If so, the U.S. must prepare for the eventual return of non-friendly forces in the region.
Pulling the troops out now would likely create a power vacuum that the Taliban would surely take advantage of.
America has influence in the region, and can reward good behaviors and punish bad behaviors, but America cannot police the region. Ultimately, these people must settle their own differences.
Another U.S. presidential election will pass before this conflict ends for the U.S.
There must be something going on that we have not been told about. Just over a year ago, Obama was ready to get out of Afghanistan and bring our troops home. Now he's not. Could it be that ISIS is ready to sweep into Afghanistan and Obama is hoping to hold them off until he's out of office so the next guy will be blamed? It's all too possible.
Given the present reality of the situation, I don't think he had many other feasible choices.