Why should we stay in Afghanistan?

[rov1200]

This year the Netherlands are withdrawing their contingent of 2000 troops from Afghanistan. By next year the Canadians are also withdrawing their 3000 troops.

Our 10,000 troops seem likely to be in it for the long haul as no end date has been mentioned and in fact the US has asked us to make up some of the shortfall left by other countries pullouts.

Is it time to say enough is enough and get out of this everlasting war?

[another-view]

So we go in all guns blazing. Make the country a total mess and then say "see ya"?!

UK helped get it in this mess. They have to sort it out now.

[Ric.ror]

What strikes me as odd is that in the refugee camp at Sangate in France the majority of would be asylum seekers are young male afghans - so we send young men (and it is still mostly men) over there to fight and be killed and they risk their lives trying to get in this country. The logistics of it are all wrong somehow

[anotheoldgit]

Judging by Barack Obama's attitude over BP's accident and his failure to back us over The Falklands, I think we can say the special relationship we once had with the US is over.

Therefore why should we jump to it when he snaps his fingers?

http://tinyurl.com/39e7muf

[Bobbisox]

from a Mothers p.o.v
Get them out now!
Why are we there?
security?
spend the money here and keep the vermin at bay!

[Twenty20]

This wasn't our war, it was the USA's, and we should never have got involved.

In my opinion, our army, air force etc should be used for defence, not for attacking other countries.

It would need an orderly withdrawal now, to a set timetable, not an undignified retreat.

[Bobbisox]

i would never argue against saying they are doing a magnificent job there, however,
no one has ever given me a palatable reason why our soldiers are fighting in a land that has nothing to do with us and hasn't declared war with us, terrorism I accept, but do not hink being there, and picking off the Taliban is winning the war against it, we are more vulnerable now than ever before!

[Seadragon]

This is Amercia's war which we are suppposedly supporting as allies. We have the second most number of troops there and finacially donate loads to rebuilding the Country. I saw an article in one paper the other day saying that Liam Fox is going to keep our troops in Helmand, not sending them onto Kandahar which I totally agree with. But then I didn't see this anywhere else so it's not particularly verifiable.

The troops won't be pulled out until the Afghans have some sort of 'democrary' and their own 'security' according to Cameron. Whether this happens or not after troop withdrawals i don't know. Personally I agree enough is enough and we should set a withdrawal timetable and work within that framework to achieving as much as possible otherwise we will be there for along time.

[Bobbisox]

errrm what catagory might I fall into there please AM,you must be about 43ish?
I wasn't around in the previous war, but I personally know someone whos son has just returned....in a bodybag!

[another-view]

But that's the risk they take when joining the armed forces. It's not all skiing and windsurfing like they show on the adverts,

[Bobbisox]

yes I agree, but they sign up to protect Queen and country?

[Bobbisox]

part of the United Kingdom?