November 22
Since 2001, the United States has been involved in conflict with the Middle East country of Afghanistan. This was a response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. The terrorists were linked to the Muslim extremist group al-Quida, led by Osama bin-Laden. Bin-Laden was known to be hiding in Afghanistan under the protection of the Taliban government, which refused to hand over the terrorist leader. In response, war was declared and the Taliban driven out. It is now 2011, and we are still there. The United States has lost the battle in Afghanistan, and it cannot win.
Afghanistan is known as the Graveyard of Empires. The Persian Empires, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, the British Empire, the Soviets, and more have invaded that country and all have left. Like the U.S these were the greatest powers of their time, and they were in some way defeated. The problem is terrian and its people. Every force that has entered Afghanistan is an outsider, and thus does not properly know the terrain and how to work in it. The people do, and they are relentless. While they are easily beaten by the concentrated force of the enemy, they can use the land itself to strike at the invaders in all the right places. In our case, the terrorist forces intimidate and threaten the local population against the U.S, leaving us even less help. The people are driven by nationalism, terror, and religon, and will not stop until we leave.
Our obvious defeat is in the lack of democracy. Afghan Presiden Karzai and his goverment are corrupt, and depend on our soldiers. Should we leave, the Taliban would tear them apart. Karzai has also stated that he would support Pakistan over the U.S, if tension turned to violence. Our soldiers continue to die, and face the prospect of conflict with Iran. Just like the great empires before us, Afghanistan is bleeding us dry of men and resources. We have been defeated, it now comes to how much can we salvage. Or nuke the place into a parking lot, but I dont see that happening.
Eric,
ReplyDeleteNot bad, but you forgot to write about the opposing viewpoint. Who would disagree with you and what is their case? Who is holding on to this war and clinging to some kind of "victory"? Are they redefining "victory" in Afghanistan?
Also, you are missing your 3 facts/sources list and pictures to go along with your post. These are very important!
For the final blog, I want to see a little more time, research, and effort. I know you got it in you.
GR: 80