Analysts are increasingly concerned that General Stanley McChrystal’s calls for massive escalation in Afghanistan seem to ignore the numerical superiority already enjoyed over the Taliban, and how little this has accomplished so far.
“It’s impossible to regain the initiative by introducing more foreign forces, which will only breed more resentment and more recruits for the enemy,” noted Ljubomir Stojadinovic. “The Soviets tried the exact same thing in Afghanistan in the 1980s with disastrous results.”
Indeed, the Soviet strategy came at roughly the same period in their failed occupation. About eight years after their invasion, the Soviets started throwing increasing amounts of money and troops at the nation.
On the other hand, this came as the Soviet Union was looking for an “exit strategy,” something which NATO fervently refuses to do. In February 1989 the Soviets fled Afghanistan and just two years later the Union collapsed entirely. NATO’s deeper pockets seem to have convinced it to continue down the road of occupation longer than the Soviets could, but the strategy still amounts to throwing more and more troops and money at the problem.
China, Russia and Europe, all want the United States to get deeper in a debilitating war in Afghanistan. America is going to grant their wish because it can not yet come to grips with the fact that it is an ordinary country, and not a superpower.
Hubris.
As we don't know why we are there we will never know when to leave the place and bring the troops home. First we supported Mujahideen against the communists, now we are supporting communists against the Taliban. There is really nothing to do in Afghanistan so the more troops are probably going to go to Pakistan — this time to protect the Pashtuns from the the Pakistani military. Any excuse for a perpetual war!
I recall-after USA defeated Taliban and rounded up thousands of young men-all waving white flags. America ordered over 5000 boxed into steel shipping containers in 130F heat.Cries screamed for help-no water,folks are dying need air. USA general was asked–can we give them fresh air–Yes siree! Our troops mounted a heavy machine gun and riddled the containers with bullet holes–blood streamed like a waste pipe flowing–only a hundred survived. FOX, CNN gleefully showed the great work of of our troop's handy work :^/