US officials, led by Senator John Kerry (D – MA) are warning of a massive economic crisis in already impoverished Afghanistan if NATO indeed ends their war at the end of 2014 and leaves the country.
The argument, according to Kerry and others, is that NATO is spending such massive amounts of money in the nation that Afghanistan is built around a “wartime economy” with 97% of the official GDP linked directly to foreign spending.
At the same time, a Senate report on Afghanistan suggests that a large portion of the money being thrown at Afghanistan is simply being wasted. The massive level of graft in Afghanistan, one of the most corrupt nations on earth, means a lot of the money being pumped into the nations is winding up in the pockets of bureaucrats.
It seems there is little case to be made that the “wartime economy” is benefitting the civilian populace, even putting aside the large numbers of them being killed in the decade-long war itself. This leaves open the question of, if Afghanistan indeed is hit with an “economic crisis” post war, whether anyone will be able to tell the difference.
"massive economic crisis"… thats it? hells bells we have one of those, and when it comes to being impoverished I guarantee that afgans less indebted by their government's unfunded commitments then Americans are. So if this is the best reason Washington can muster for staying the course, then lets leave tonight! why should we have a "massive economic crisis" so that they don't?!
There is already a "massive economic crisis" in US and EU.., putting it in a simple way, you are bankrupt.., China demanding to be paid with interests and US – EU can not use that $53 billion dollars stolen from Libyan people because of the inflation which would come with it, within few years there is nothing going to be left of the US and EU economy if these wars and occupation of other countries are continued, the only thing that works is US and EU is its militarism regime and its machinery.., all other sectors having economic problems. Then again if these people understand these little facts here and there.., but I think is because the have their monthly salary with healthcare including dental.., so they don’t care and don’t want to understand.
The “wartime economy” is benefitting the Military Industrial Complex, no wasta ammo and equipment, no needa more ammo and equipment, no needa more ammo and equipment, no needa Military Industrial Complex, no needa Military Industrial Complex, no needa workers, no needa workers, workers needa job. America needa “wartime economy”!
Very sad comment from Kerry, a vietnam veteran, first antiwar and later warmonger. The killed, maimed young Nato soldiers and innocent civilians,all the incredible suffering should not matter versus the war ecomomy .
And "The Stan" wasn't in economic turmoil before we got there 10 YEARS AGO?
Gates, go to blazes. Better yet YOU do a tour there ON THE GROUND!
LOL Afghanistan was in economic crisis before we got there! WTF about the economic crisis in the US? Oh, I forgot we have to secure the dope fields or the Taliban will burn them down again
How very nice of the US to warn NATO of such impending perils in Afghanistan. Now, if they only took the time to look around and see that…hmmm…the US too is in economic crisis. And political. And social. And moral. And spiritual. And…
Hard to believe. How many more heart breaking stories will be served to us to justify STAYING… __And that is all there is. Some want to stay indefinitely, and just play games with "leaving", just like Iraq. Let us first GET OUT OF IRAQ. And the mega embassy being built there needs to be rented out. And then have a small embassy for small needs, like any other country. I have a suggestion: do not cut ANY SPENDING, but move all the troups home. Rent out all the commercial space to house their offices, fill up all the half-empty bases to house them, and have them support OUR country with nation-building. And the money spent HERE in US will stimulate the economy. And what happens to Afghanistan? Nothing. They know how to grow their own food, and they will figure out how to feed themselves. As to WHO will run theur country, who really cares.
We know voting Republican won't get us out. They are the fools who led us there in the first place.
And we know voting Democrat won't get us out. We tried that in 2006 and 2008.
Remember, repeating the same actions and expecting a different result is a sign of insanity.
But don't stop trying. There are usually more names on a ballot that the (D) and (R). And if not, then you can probably put a name there in time for 2012.
60% to 70% of the people keep saying they want this to end. Then they turn around and vote for politicians who make it very plain that they have no intention of leaving.
If you want the wars to end, then vote (IN THE GENERAL ELECTION WHEN IT COUNTS) for a real anti-war candidate. Don't blame me, I voted for McKinney. And don't blame the people who voted for Nader or Barr either. But if you voted for Obama or McCain, please learn from the mistake and stop doing that. Do many people are dying because of such mistakes.
"economic crisis" = all the people who've been living off US bribes will be broke if we leave.
Of course, that's all the people we consider our 'friends' in Afghanistan, so they of course are telling us how awful it will be if we ever stop shoveling billions of dollars their way and did something silly with the money like pay some teachers for our children.
If anyone should know better than this, its the Winter Soldier John Kerry.
He's gone from complaining about being asked to be the last man to die in Vietnam, to being the old fart in Washington who sends young men out to die for his own dreams of world power.
I wish the young John Kerry could somehow show up and give the old fart a piece of his mind.