It’s been reported for over a month that Gen. John Nicholson, the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, wants more troops for the 16 year war. Over the weekend, however, he’s offered more details about the size he envisions for this new force.
Gen. Nicholson now says he wants another 5,000 US and NATO troops, saying he believes the US needs that many to “break the stalemate” in the war. Nicholson has repeatedly labeled the conflict a “stalemate” in recent weeks, which appears to be an overestimation of the situation, with the Taliban continuing to gain ground against Afghan security forces.
The US has repeatedly run into this problem in Afghanistan, with the government’s forces unable to stand up to the Taliban by themselves, and NATO growing weary of continuing to prop them up. This has led to escalations and deescalation for years, constantly trying to save the Afghan government from outright defeat.
Nicholson argued that because 9/11 involved Afghanistan, a loss in the country would embolden terrorists globally. At the same time, throwing an addition 5,000 “US and NATO troops,” which would likely end up being almost exclusively US troops, at the war 16 years later doesn’t seem like it’s going to resolve the conflict, but rather just extend it once again.
Does he have a plan for victory? Or just more stalemate. If we are going to lose eventually better lose quickly and get on with life.
Vietnam all over again. LBJ went in for victory against the ‘terrible’ Communist menace! Didn’t happen. Nixon took over, while not expecting victory, his goal was “peace with honor.” Years dragged by and that didn’t happen either. Finally, we just left, leaving 2 million Vietnamese and 58,000 American troops dead — and on both sides, lots more maimed, both mentally and physically. Big price to pay to save America from a threat that just wasn’t there.
We should be so lucky, Vietnam got too bad to be ignored. Too many of the wrong sorts of people were getting killed. This war is jogging along at 100B a year and 100 KIA (well not counting locals) who signed up for it. So we will bleed and bleed looks like at least 4 more years.
This isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about no-bid contracts and huge taxpayer subsidized profits.
Perpetual war for perpetual peace.
The U.S of Amnesia.
Gore Vidal would’ve expected nothing less from Gen. Westmoreland… oops, I mean, Gen. Nicholson.
Bring back the draft.
Hopefully if they ever try to pull that, politicians will be used to decorate lamp posts.
Increased US forces in Afghanistan are necessary if Trump is going to win that war quickly.
And only he can do it he said. With the aid of his minister of propaganda, Raimondo.
Trump delivers! And neither big political party opposed him. Not the Dems when it comes to war, but conspicuously, not the Republicans either.
Everyone pay attention to the new situaition which is peculiar and different than for previous wars where there was one party’s opposition for which to hold out hope.
This is what makes Raimondo’s support of Trump so egregious and misplaced. He can’t think past the domestic partisan politics.
The explanation for what has happened can be found by looking back to early in the president campaign. Trump suggested improved US/Russia relations and that drove Clinton to take the other side. It was the opportunity she could use against Trump. And so even though Trump went silent on his promise quickly after once mentioning it, Clinton built on it. And now the Dems continue to build on it.
Trump obviously didn’t mean it seriously but still, it’s created the situation we find the US today. The Dems promoting war, the Republicans mostly silent with no oppositon to it, and Trump demonstrating that his intention is clearly escalation of US existing wars and intentions of more to come.
It really does seem to be the perfect storm. The gathering storm, and Raimondo still can’t see through the clouds.
Not to mention, Trump’s supporters are still not ready to face the reality of Trump. Even as he demonstrates his intentions with N.Korea, China, Iran, Syria, and ……………?
Keep digging the hole Raimondo, the long awaited vindication of Trump isn’t coming to lift you out.
Justin never endorsed Trump. You don’t have any solutions, Don. I do, but they do not involve our current form of government.
Nicholson has repeatedly labeled the conflict a “stalemate” in recent weeks, which appears to be an overestimation of the situation, with the Taliban continuing to gain ground against Afghan security forces.
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General Nicholson, if you cannot decisively defeat The Taliban after fifteen years, and we find ourselves in a ‘stalemate’ as you claim (not that I believe anything you have to say), let me ask you a question:
What would happen if we had to fight Iran, or North Korea, or Syria? How about Russia? China? Russia and China which now have each other’s backs, thanks to US insanity?
If you cannot defeat The Taliban in fifteen years, what chance do we have against a stronger adversary?
Unless your lying to us through your teeth, of course.
If what you claim is true, why haven’t you been fired and drummed out of the armed services in disgrace and shame?