In 12+ years of occupation, the US narrative about Afghanistan has rarely changed, with officials maintaining that major progress has been made, but that the occupation must continue to “sustain” it.
The latest interview by Gen. Dunford, the commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan, was more of the same in that regard, once again dismissing soaring casualties among Afghan forces, and insisting that the Afghan military was getting stronger and stronger.
And of course, Gen. Dunford followed up his claim of progress by insisting that the US needed to keep troops there for “years to come,” saying that at least three or four years of US military presence was ‘critical’ after 2014.
Though US officials occasionally raise the prospect of ending the occupation in 2014 during negotiations with the Karzai government, the Pentagon had made it clear time and again they don’t consider it a real possibility, envisioning a protracted deployment with no end in sight.
Insisting on a mistaken decision would lead to more mistakes. No reason to occupy inthe first place led to brutal occupation. True reason was not allowed to speak about and it was and it is PNAC. Pressure on Iran to curtail nuclear developments, on the West, and pressure against Pakistan to force a surrender of nuclear weapons, on the East; were the basic motives as eventually
islamic possession of nuclear deterrent would force israel to reach an agreement on Palestine.
Please go to the head of the class brother.
Shut up dunford.
Dunford's telling the truth.
Without an American 'spine', Afghanistan will return to the state from which it came. The only question is for how long the USA is going to delay the inevitable? There is no place for America in Afghanistan to-day or in the future.
Besides :…maintaining that major progress has been made, but that the occupation must continue to “sustain” it…" Dunford does not explain why we have to maintain a military presence in a country that does not want us there. Sustaining Afghan army "progress" (such as it is) does WHAT for the American people? What are getting that we didn't have before? Where is the advantage to the American people for what we are spending in treasure and lives? Why don't one of those media members who are near the General ask him that question – and do not accept a specious answer.
The Talibs will renew their efforts and continue to bleed America dry with many more bodybags.