It is very disturbing to learn that President Obama is planning a commitment in the next six months to a year of an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban and Al Quaeda.
While certainly the US and NATO cannot totally abandon the fight against international terrorism, the history of Afghanistan does not bode well for any possibility of success. Afghanistan has historically overcome all invaders, including Great Britain and the Soviet Union. Its mountainous, inaccessible landscape has led to tragedy after tragedy over many centuries. There is no way to WIN in Afghanistan and the thought of a major escalation, and the likelihood of a growing number of casualties, is alarming.
The investment in money and personnel will create a tremendous burden on the US economically and create more disillusionment and division at home. We cannot afford the sacrifice involved, in the midst of problems presented by the move to withdraw troops from Iraq, dealing with the growing threat of Iran and North Korea and Venezuela, and the constant challenge from Russia and China.Â
We do not have the ability to commit troops everywhere and expect to have any opportunity to bring urgent domestic reform. President Obama, please reconsider what you are doing, and do NOT allow Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, a carryover from the Bush Administration, to commit us to a situation which has no practical end!