TW: Why ARE we in Afghanistan? AfPak is starting to rise through the health care debates to the top of folks minds. I detect an emerging challenge. There is no clear consensus on why we are in Afghanistan. To fight Al-Qaeda? To establish a secure Afghani government to prevent the Taliban from re-emerging as the predominant power? To create zone of influence relative to Pakistan and/or Central Asia? To revenge 9/11?
I would argue the latter was sufficient in October, 2001. We were pissed and somebody had to suffer retribution. But that phase is long gone.
The former now should drive what I believe is a fundamental inflection point for our current POTUS and our nation. The decisions made in the coming months relative to how deeply we engage in AfPak will, for better or worse, frame the Obama presidency and more importantly either create an opportunity for the U.S. to positively influence a very dangerous part of the world or drag us into an black void into which our blood and treasure is sucked without remorse.
The previous POTUS led us into an unnecessary war predicated upon false and phony premises. It has been disastrous. We cannot afford to make another ill-conceived decision.
Why do you think we are in Afghanistan?
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