Though the US insists there are still details to be worked out, reports suggest that the Bilateral Security Agreement (PDF) is more or less finalized.
The deal will reportedly allow US night raids on Afghan homes to continue in “exceptional circumstances.” There are reports about the US admitting to “mistakes” as part of the deal, though the US says it will never “apologize” for anything.
The most disturbing aspect is that while previous reports had suggested that the document would open up the US to stay beyond 2014 through 2024, indications are that there will be no such deadline, and the text explicitly says it will remain in effect “until the end of 2024 and beyond.”
The pact makes no mention of the size of the occupation force, but Afghan officials say they envision it being between 10 and 15 thousand. US officials suggested that may include NATO troops as well as US troops.
a·pol·o·gize (-pl-jz) intr.v. a·pol·o·gized, a·pol·o·giz·ing, a·pol·o·giz·es 1. To make excuse for or regretful acknowledgment of a fault or offense. 2. To make a formal defense or justification in speech or writing.
Definition 2 makes surprising sense i.t.o. never doing it. E.g., the Taliban was not given evidence of Bin Laden's putative 9/11 guilt in favor of invading. In that sense the US has never "apologized." I.t.o. never apologizing by 1, …the refusal seems remarkable. Previously Jason covered how Obama's WH was mulling over whether an apology made 'strategic sense,' rather than whether it was the-right-thing-to-do. I'd be curious about that reasoning, but it certainly seems that USG is not something you let in, or that you should let stay. 'Burning Down The Guesthouse,' they are.
RST IN??????????????????????? Afghanistan.
Would someone please explain why the US is so set on keeping troops in that rat hole for another 10+ years? Other than the ruse of chasing after the people supposedly responsible for 9/11 I've never heard a clear and logical reason for still being there. "Propping up the Karzai government" is NOT justification for putting our troops in harms way and most assuredly NOT for sending them home in body bags. Even the Republicans who have in the past been expressive in their defense of their warmongering adventures have been noticeably quiet when it comes to why we are still there.
Perhaps a reason recruitment numbers are down are because people are tired of sacrificing themselves (and their children) to a fool's errand. Only bad things can come out of this arrangement.
Would someone please explain why the US is so set on keeping troops in that rat hole for another 10+ years? Other than the ruse of chasing after the people supposedly responsible for 9/11 I've never heard a clear and logical reason for still being there. "Propping up the Karzai government" is NOT justification for putting our troops in harms way and most assuredly NOT for sending them home in body bags. Even the Republicans who have in the past been expressive in their defense of their warmongering adventures have been noticeably quiet when it comes to why we are still there.
Perhaps a reason recruitment numbers are down are because people are tired of sacrificing themselves (and their children) to a fool's errand. Only bad things can come out of this arrangement.
No one wants to come clear, however RICinOR below here seems to be as close as anyone I have heard.
US troops guard the poppy farms ensuring bumper crops and record profits that are laundered through international banks, for a profit. US troops guard the routes of pipelines for oil company profits, and there is an estimated $1 trillion in precious metals and minerals waiting to be mined for profits that have yet to be exploited. The US occupation of Afghanistan is a perfect example of what Gen. Smedley Butler described in "War is a Racket." It is all about protecting the "rights" of corporations to profit by exploiting people and resources worldwide at taxpayers expense.
It's all about oil.
The U.S. plans to run a pipeline thru Afghan to the sea.
So GIs will keep dying – for Exxon et al.
The corporate thieves and their minions have no intention of apologizing or leaving anytime soon. Therefore no quarter should be given by the people who are bring abused, terrorized and occupied.