Afghanistan – Can the US Win?
In the past few weeks we have been seeing on TV and on the Internet many news regarding Afghanistan. Apparently in the near future Mr. Obama has to make some crucial decisions regarding what to do in that country.
The options are quite simple, [1] do nothing, [2] increase support (more troops and money) or [3] start backing out.
Doing nothing might not be the proper political answer. The war in Afghanistan is getting old and the US is loosing grounds day by day. Naive Americans have and will continue to questions why are we spending billions of dollars in a war instead of helping our country getting back on its feet from an economic perspective. Naive Americans must note that the war in Afghanistan started by attempting to capture Osama Bin Laden and destroying the Taliban. After years, billions of dollars and thousands of Naive Americans killed and permanently injured, NONE of these goals have been achieved.
Reducing support might not be bad. We could shift the resources into rebuilding Industry and Education in our country in hopes to be able to afford the mindless and expensive programs suggested by the current administration. On a side note, The Naive American believes in a form healthcare reform in which ALL Americans get insurance for life at NO cost. This is easy said than done. On a different economy (50 or 60 years ago) all that would be possible. Today, it is better to back off Afghanistan and any other conflict / war before considering healthcare reforms.
Increasing support attempting to convince Naive Americans that our country is in danger might sound good for the administration. Remember President Bush and his defense contractor (better known as Vice President Cheney)? There is only a minor issue that we should consider. So far no country has been able to win a conflict in Afghanistan. The last ones that tried it were Russians. They failed. We have been at it for several years and there is no victory in sight. Mr. Obama, please read my lips: “The USA will NEVER win a war with Afghanistan”. Are you interested in the reason for my statement?
You have mentioned that you like to read about past presidents to learn from their mistakes and successes. I would suggest for you to read world history and psychology textbooks. Perhaps you have some advisors in these fields. When a man has nothing to loose, like the people in Afghanistan, then nothing we or any other country could possible do to eradicate the enemy. We have no commitment or interest in wining. There is nothing for the US in Afghanistan. The Afghan people have nothing too loose. Sooner or later we will leave Afghanistan with one or more excuses or just a simple statement (we lost just like in Vietnam). We do not have enough resources to support or justify the war. The US has not been successful in decades. We are great at bombing and leaving (IRAQ) but not winning.
You want to know which country would be successful in Afghanistan given they would have an interest? CHINA. They would send enough troops and invade the country staying there forever is necessary. Obviously at this time China has no interest. Do you think Naive Americans are willing to permanently relocate to Afghanistan and assure peace and prosperity in that country?
In conclusion, The Naive American would suggest a quick exit from Afghanistan and divert the resources wasted there to fund small business that are the key to engineering and manufacturing in order to boost our economy. Who knows, with time the US might be able to start producing goods and services desirable in the US and other countries. At this time China owns most of the manufacturing and shortly will own most of the engineering centers in the world. The next global power will be BRIC (the US not included).
Any comments Mr. President?
Sincerely yours;
The Naive American
www.naiveamerican.org
