Today, the US occupation of Afghanistan officially entered its awkward teen years, as 13 years ago today marks the first US attacks of the conflict, airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar.
The Afghan War at 13 seems very much like it did in years past, with the Taliban in control of vast territory and the Pentagon claiming “progress” that doesn’t seem to have any real impact on the ground.
Untold billions wasted, the advancement of the Afghan War into adolescence doesn’t mean the end is near. Indeed, last week the new Ghani government signed a deal to keep US and NATO forces on the ground “through 2024 and beyond,” ensuring at least another decade of occupation.
The plan right now, at least from a PR standpoint, seems to be claiming the war is ending at the end of the year, when the troop level gets down to 10,000 US ground troops. Yet those troops are staying more or less forever, with re-escalation a possibility at any time.
Ummm, do we sing the Happy Quagmire song?
We should all pause and reflect on all the riches and advantages that the Afghan War has brought into our daily lives. OK, that didn't take long. And for that, we've paid hundreds of billions of dollars and the lives of at least a 1000 Americans.
The USG's war profiteers, carpetbaggers, thieves, and murders
are raising champagne glasses and singing 'Star Spangled Banner'
Are we any safer?
First sprouts of acne. Voice starts cracking. Embarrassing protuberances occurring randomly that make you dread walking to your locker (and there were no 'lockers' last year). Yet a half the chicks are still taller than you…
Jeez, if only it had died last year.