The so-called “zero option” on Afghanistan, leaving no troops after the end of 2014, is back as a talking point for the Obama Administration, coming as the White House tries to coax President Hamid Karzai back to talks on troop levels.
The tactic isn’t entirely knew, as major Karzai rows usually result in the administration giving lip-service to the zero option, with the hope of scaring Karzai back to the table with the prospect of being overrun by the Taliban without occupation forces to secure his rule.
On the other hand Karzai’s withdrawal from the talks came because of fear that he’s going to get left out of a US-Taliban deal, and as a lame duck president he doesn’t have nearly the reason to play ball he once did.
Gen. John Allen, the retired head of the US occupation, also spilled the beans a few months ago when he admitted that the zero option was never even considered, and that the US has operated only on the assumption that some level of troops, how many remains to be seen, will be occupying Afghanistan in 2015 and beyond.
Assuming this hasn’t changed suddenly, Karzai has the option of calling the administration’s bluff this time, and holding out for better terms on any deal. Either way, Karzai’s term in office ends next May, and that will leave the US with a chance to negotiate with his successor, and leave Karzai with plenty of time to flee into exile if things break badly for him.
From "There must be 50 ways to Leave Afghanistan"
"Just get on the bus, Gus
No need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And set yourself free"
Time to cut the puppet free. We really don't have a reason for staying – there's nothing there we need anyway. Any strategic advantage, if there is one, is lost in just trying to keep the locals from attacking from inside the fences. Let the Taliban have it – or maybe Pakistan will want it. Good luck with that. The Russians were smart enough to realize that trying to hold on to it was not worth the costs. Surely we're smarter than the Cossacks…well…hmmmm…maybe not.
"When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle an' blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier." – Rudyard Kipling
Oh, sorry. Doesn't apply to to Georgy or Obummer. We can speculate that Hillary has more balls than either and when she becomes Queen she will take the opportunity to put herself in this situation.
The Graveyard of Empires deserves to be left alone. US had no business going in there to begin with. The Rabid puppy needs a big crate on a big plane, and a ticket back to the homeland.
When I was young, wars ended when one side lost or surrendered. So, are we giving up, then, or have we won?