Crosswords0 min ago
Time to pull out now?
22 Answers
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8342488.stm
Is it time for us to leave now? The soilders could concentrate on our own security. I used to think we had a purpose there but it would seem that a western form of democracy is not wanted there.
Is it time for us to leave now? The soilders could concentrate on our own security. I used to think we had a purpose there but it would seem that a western form of democracy is not wanted there.
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Some good points.
The botched elections mean we do have to reconsider whether pulling out with a stable-ish government like in Iraq is realistic.
BUT we have to consider what an Afghanistan 6 months after our pulling out would look like
You also have to be clear on whether you mean all nationalities or just the UK
If the UK pulled out unilaterally it would be rather devestating with regard to our reputation and influence with the countries remaining there - there would be a diplomatic price to pay especially with the Americans. They might decide to reduce co-operation in any of a number of areas where we need them.
I suggest that 6 months after we all went home the country would be a fundamentalist islamic state very hostile to western powers.
There would be fierce fighting in the Pakistani border area (fiercer even than now) it is even possible that the Pakistan could go the same way as Afghanistan.
All of this would provide a safe haven for Al Qaeda - there are believed to be less than 100 Al Qaeda in Afghanistan now - They'd obvioously flood back. It's an ideal training ground because unlike Somailia it's easy to slip across the border into Pakistan and there to anywhere in the world.
ctd....
The botched elections mean we do have to reconsider whether pulling out with a stable-ish government like in Iraq is realistic.
BUT we have to consider what an Afghanistan 6 months after our pulling out would look like
You also have to be clear on whether you mean all nationalities or just the UK
If the UK pulled out unilaterally it would be rather devestating with regard to our reputation and influence with the countries remaining there - there would be a diplomatic price to pay especially with the Americans. They might decide to reduce co-operation in any of a number of areas where we need them.
I suggest that 6 months after we all went home the country would be a fundamentalist islamic state very hostile to western powers.
There would be fierce fighting in the Pakistani border area (fiercer even than now) it is even possible that the Pakistan could go the same way as Afghanistan.
All of this would provide a safe haven for Al Qaeda - there are believed to be less than 100 Al Qaeda in Afghanistan now - They'd obvioously flood back. It's an ideal training ground because unlike Somailia it's easy to slip across the border into Pakistan and there to anywhere in the world.
ctd....
ctd...
Which brings us to Billy's point - how are you goint to use these extra forces and resources in the UK. Armed police at entry points? we already have that -better security - over half of those convicted of terrorist attacks have been in the uk legally.
Hide under the bed perhaps and shoot anyone with a strong suntan?
Personally I think Pakistan is the key - it's Afghanistan's fron't door. If we do want to pull out we should not bring the forces home but help to secure the Pakistan border. That would make access to weastern targets much harder and stop it spreading into Pakistan.
Whether that would be acceptable to Pakistanis and to Pakistan is a very different question though
Which brings us to Billy's point - how are you goint to use these extra forces and resources in the UK. Armed police at entry points? we already have that -better security - over half of those convicted of terrorist attacks have been in the uk legally.
Hide under the bed perhaps and shoot anyone with a strong suntan?
Personally I think Pakistan is the key - it's Afghanistan's fron't door. If we do want to pull out we should not bring the forces home but help to secure the Pakistan border. That would make access to weastern targets much harder and stop it spreading into Pakistan.
Whether that would be acceptable to Pakistanis and to Pakistan is a very different question though
Jake - Russia unilaterally pulled out of Aghanistan all those years ago. And 'the world' is still talking to them.
Wasn't it Harold Wilson who said that a week in a long time in politics?
Since the main reasons for the invasion in the first place seemed to be:
1) Capture Al Qaeda leaders
2) Spray the poppy fields with weedkiller
.... and neither have worked, it does sound like time to try something else.
Wasn't it Harold Wilson who said that a week in a long time in politics?
Since the main reasons for the invasion in the first place seemed to be:
1) Capture Al Qaeda leaders
2) Spray the poppy fields with weedkiller
.... and neither have worked, it does sound like time to try something else.
Why do the Superpowers keep invading this insignificant little country?
To the north of Afghanistan are massive oilfields that are landlocked. To the South is a seaport on the Gulf of Oman, in Pakistan. To get the oil to the sea they need to build a pipeline through Afghanistan. For that to happen they need to impose a stable, pro-western Government in that country.
The potential rewards are why we are still there.
To the north of Afghanistan are massive oilfields that are landlocked. To the South is a seaport on the Gulf of Oman, in Pakistan. To get the oil to the sea they need to build a pipeline through Afghanistan. For that to happen they need to impose a stable, pro-western Government in that country.
The potential rewards are why we are still there.
If the end result is that we withdraw with our tails between our legs is it not better to do it now? Stubborness and the inability to recognise our strengths and weaknesses cost extra thousands of lives in Vietnam. Can anyone suggest the situation has improved since we went in? We are just fooling ourselves!
It is worth remembering the Russian invasion and how it was reported here.
Nightly reports from Sandy Gall on ITN with the plucky mujahideen as they ambush the Russians and kill the young soldiers.
"triumphant and full of admiration for the courage of the mujahideen. This is his tribute to those splendid fighters, pitting themselves relentlessly against Soviet might."
http://www.amazon.co....2/203-2239053-2200733
It all looks very different from the other side doesn't it?
Nightly reports from Sandy Gall on ITN with the plucky mujahideen as they ambush the Russians and kill the young soldiers.
"triumphant and full of admiration for the courage of the mujahideen. This is his tribute to those splendid fighters, pitting themselves relentlessly against Soviet might."
http://www.amazon.co....2/203-2239053-2200733
It all looks very different from the other side doesn't it?
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