The Continued Us Presence In Afghanistan

[jim360]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-afghanistan/trump-says-he-is-worried-about-terrorist-attacks-if-us-troops-leave-afghanistan-idUSKCN1TX042

Like Bush and Obama before him, Trump hoped that US Troops would be out of Afghanistan very soon after he became President. Now, it seems, Trump has listened to advice and decided not to withdraw completely after all.

Right decision?

[sanmac]

Well, to be honest I don't really care right now. I'm sure the history books in a few years to come will have numerous interpretations.

[naomi24]

//The focus of the peace talks has been a Taliban demand that foreign forces leave and a U.S. demand for a guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used as a base for attacks elsewhere.//

Are they kidding? As if such a guarantee from the Taliban could be relied upon!

Trump is right to heed his military advisers.

[jim360]

I thought so too, although equally I can't blame Trump for wanting US Forces out of there already.

[agchristie]

//“I call it the Harvard of terrorists,” Trump said//

Well, 'Taliban' means 'students' doesn't it in Arabic?...

Anyway, yes, Trump is correct. It would be a high risk strategy to accede to their request and trust that they will honour their side of the bargain.

[KARL]

I am not convinced that the US's presence in Afghanistan has a decisive effect on the incidence of terrorism outside Afghanistan. Thus I would have thought that the terrorism argument does not hold up so the US should go home where they belong (as many or more deaths per year through violence at home compared with terrorism elsewhere combined ?). On the other hand, for the US, UK and others, Afghanistan is almost certainly a very good and thoroughly realistic training ground for the military and (I can easily believe) a superb testing facility for new and existing hardware and technology. Think of it: Real-life scenarios, almost completely beyond any scrutiny.......

[fender62]

taliban will make full use of taqiyya.

[youngmafbog]

The problem is that we mere mortals don't really know what goes on in Afghanistan so cannot make a judgement on whether or not withdrawal would make a difference.

Hopefully the military advisers have got it right.

[Spicerack]

He'll 'get it in the neck' whatever he does, that's for sure.

[youngmafbog]

I'm afraid so Spice. But I doubt he cares.

[jim360]

Him and every other politician. They all have their opponents.

Still, I think he's right to listen to advisers and I share ymb's hope that the advisers are correct.