We frequently forget that there are a great many nations involved in Afghanistan, and som eof them even have boots on the ground.
As it is here in the US the Afghanistan war is a hot topic in Australia, one of our allies who isn't even a part of NATO but who sent combat forces to help carry the load simply because they're our allies and that's what allies do.
Australian PM Julia Gillard has an op-ed in The Australian that gives us a good look at the war from the Australian perspective - as do the comments.
Simply put, Gillard tells her constituents that things are going to get harder in Afghanistan before they get easier as things ramp up and that a precipitous pullout would be a mistake. She also details some additional steps the Australians are undertaking as part of their contribution to this war.
All in all, an interesting read.
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2 comments:
"We frequently forget that there are a great many nations involved in Afghanistan and some of them even have boots on the ground."
I should certainly hope we don't forget that. I know this American is aware of that and has been for some time. This American has never forgotten that and never will. In fact, I pray for these people, their countries, and their leadership on a daily basis. This American is eternally grateful for their assistance.
The same thing applies to Iraq as well. The support we have received there when and where others could help us is greatly appreciated by this American and many others.
Something I will never forget are the disgraceful words once uttered by retired General Wesley Clark. He referred to our allies in Iraq as the "bribed and the coerced." When someone assists the appropiate response is "thank you for your help and how may we assist you." Insulting them is NOT appropiate. If unable to assist them in some fashion in exchange for their assistance to us, a simple "thank you" would be nice. Insults are inappropiate and one wonders why America is so despised. Could it be because idiots like the retired General go around insulting those who would help America?!!?
If she thinks a "precipitous pullout" would be a mistake, can she please explain this to the American people, the American government, and other allies. Also, can she explain how we are going to pay for this. I'm not sure about the impact of a precipitous pullout to Australia. Being a different country than America with different interests and a different geographic location from America this will no doubt make a difference in what policies are good for them.
For America a "precipitous pullout" may be the only option. The pullout should begin as quickly as our transport vehicles can get our people out. It should not be stopped until ALL of our people are out. The pullout should be started and completed as quickly as possible. These troops and other military assets should then be redeployed to defensible positions along the American border.
The current situation is untenable. Our brave warriors are being worn down and our military is being pushed into disarray and we can no longer afford the deployment. By redeploying the forces to our borders at least we have a fighting chance to defend ourselves.
Finally, to a point I agree with Australian PM, if we withdraw from Afghanistan without securing our borders, then this likely would be disasterous. At a minimum an indefinite moratorium on all immigration from Afghanistan should be put in place in addition to enhanced border security.
Can we expec the current leadership in DC to implement such a sensible policy? Probably not. Hopefully we can get some changes in place while we still have some semblance of a military left to deploy to our borders that is somewhat capable of defending our country.
"We frequently forget that there are a great many nations involved in Afghanistan and some of them even have boots on the ground."
I should certainly hope we don't forget that. I know this American is aware of that and has been for some time. This American has never forgotten that and never will. In fact, I pray for these people, their countries, and their leadership on a daily basis. This American is eternally grateful for their assistance.
The same thing applies to Iraq as well. The support we have received there when and where others could help us is greatly appreciated by this American and many others.
Something I will never forget are the disgraceful words once uttered by retired General Wesley Clark. He referred to our allies in Iraq as the "bribed and the coerced." When someone assists the appropiate response is "thank you for your help and how may we assist you." Insulting them is NOT appropiate. If unable to assist them in some fashion in exchange for their assistance to us, a simple "thank you" would be nice. Insults are inappropiate and one wonders why America is so despised. Could it be because idiots like the retired General go around insulting those who would help America?!!?
If she thinks a "precipitous pullout" would be a mistake, can she please explain this to the American people, the American government, and other allies. Also, can she explain how we are going to pay for this. I'm not sure about the impact of a precipitous pullout to Australia. Being a different country than America with different interests and a different geographic location from America this will no doubt make a difference in what policies are good for them.
For America a "precipitous pullout" may be the only option. The pullout should begin as quickly as our transport vehicles can get our people out. It should not be stopped until ALL of our people are out. The pullout should be started and completed as quickly as possible. These troops and other military assets should then be redeployed to defensible positions along the American border.
The current situation is untenable. Our brave warriors are being worn down and our military is being pushed into disarray and we can no longer afford the deployment. By redeploying the forces to our borders at least we have a fighting chance to defend ourselves.
Finally, to a point I agree with Australian PM, if we withdraw from Afghanistan without securing our borders, then this likely would be disasterous. At a minimum an indefinite moratorium on all immigration from Afghanistan should be put in place in addition to enhanced border security.
Can we expec the current leadership in DC to implement such a sensible policy? Probably not. Hopefully we can get some changes in place while we still have some semblance of a military left to deploy to our borders that is somewhat capable of defending our country.
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