In Afghanistan, It's About More Than Just the U.S.

During the last several weeks, Americans have found themselves back in the middle of a fierce debate over our continuing military effort in Afghanistan. What was Bush's forgotten war had, until recently, seemed quite safely transformed in public opinion into Obama's "war of necessity." Now, because of Gen. Stanley McChrystal's request for significantly more troops, coming on the heels of his public declaration that the Taliban are essentially "winning," the ruling Democrats have suddenly been thrust back into "quagmire" mode. Predictably, we are once again awash in feverish Boomer analogies to Vietnam, despite the pronounced absence in Afghanistan of any great-power antagonism. Indeed, America enjoys the exact opposite there.

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Comments

[Michael S. Smith II]

Tom,

Hear, hear!

[stuart abrams]

Once again, it's Bin Laden to the rescue. He says the US has to leave Afghanistan. What better way to galvanize US public opinion in favor of continuing the mission.

[Pat Chang]

We have learned this lesson before in the U.S. Beyond winning we need to also remember to stay and to help the people after the last shot is fired. Charlie Wilson's war comes to mind. Where has all the support gone for OEF? During the last election weren't they all about OEF and dump OIF?