Afghanistan: What to Do?

While there are proponents of adopting the additional manpower recommended by Gen. McCrystal, I then to support those who question the wisdom of such a plan. Our friend, Peter, sent an e-mail featuring Stephen Tanner's Afghanistan – A Military History from Alexander the Great to the War Against the Taliban, which traced the dismal history of prior attempts to intervene in this relatively primitive nation. Andrew Bacevich has repeatedly warned of the negative consequences of our even maintaining our current strategy, far less expanding it. Frank Rich is another person who depicts the dire consequences of our further involvement by referencing "Lessons in Disaster" by Gordon Goldstein.

I can understand that there will be a political price to be paid for backing away from what Obama initially said about the US commitments to Afghanistan, but really, there is little expectation of any success. We can resist attempts by terrorists to mobilize their forces without attempting to redo their society.