Comments on: How to Win in Afghanistan: Part II http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/2009/08/how-to-win-in-afghanistan-part-ii/ Advocating change in a globalized world Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:12:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Wil Robinson http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/2009/08/how-to-win-in-afghanistan-part-ii/#comment-37376 Wil Robinson Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:53:48 +0000 http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/?p=940#comment-37376 Jon-- I agree - the Cold War and the fight against Communism was a major factor. But why is the spread of religious extremism any different? Aren't we trying to convince people to abort an ideology that we feel is detrimental to society at large? If we tried to convince Europeans to stay away from Communism by reconstructing their society and providing an alternative social and economic system, why not do the same with regards to violent extremism? Jon–

I agree - the Cold War and the fight against Communism was a major factor.

But why is the spread of religious extremism any different? Aren’t we trying to convince people to abort an ideology that we feel is detrimental to society at large? If we tried to convince Europeans to stay away from Communism by reconstructing their society and providing an alternative social and economic system, why not do the same with regards to violent extremism?

]]> By: Jon (lived with Chand) http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/2009/08/how-to-win-in-afghanistan-part-ii/#comment-37369 Jon (lived with Chand) Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:50:58 +0000 http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/?p=940#comment-37369 I would say one of the major reasons post Second World War Germany had so much Allied funds pumped into it was the beginnings of the Cold War... Similarly with Japan (Russia, China, North Korea and Vietnam threats). I would say one of the major reasons post Second World War Germany had so much Allied funds pumped into it was the beginnings of the Cold War… Similarly with Japan (Russia, China, North Korea and Vietnam threats).

]]> By: Wil Robinson http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/2009/08/how-to-win-in-afghanistan-part-ii/#comment-35703 Wil Robinson Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:08:43 +0000 http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/?p=940#comment-35703 BT-- "Idealism" implies impracticality. But these ideas are far from impractical. In fact, they may represent the only solution we've yet to try. Face it - we "precipitously withdrew" after the Soviets got kicked out - and ended up back again a decade later. And now in Washington, the powers that be are mulling what "new strategy" is needed - but everyone seems to assume that "strategy" HAS to contain weapons and war. How is that new? That's no new - it's just the same thing we've done before - but with more weapons. So we can slog through another 10 years, or we can withdraw slowly, fastly, whatever. Or we can try something "new" (and really, it's not new, because it's been tried - and succeeded before - in Europe/Japan after WWII). But the same old thinking will get us into the same old problems. BT–

“Idealism” implies impracticality. But these ideas are far from impractical. In fact, they may represent the only solution we’ve yet to try.

Face it - we “precipitously withdrew” after the Soviets got kicked out - and ended up back again a decade later.

And now in Washington, the powers that be are mulling what “new strategy” is needed - but everyone seems to assume that “strategy” HAS to contain weapons and war. How is that new? That’s no new - it’s just the same thing we’ve done before - but with more weapons.

So we can slog through another 10 years, or we can withdraw slowly, fastly, whatever.

Or we can try something “new” (and really, it’s not new, because it’s been tried - and succeeded before - in Europe/Japan after WWII).

But the same old thinking will get us into the same old problems.

]]> By: Brother Tim http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/2009/08/how-to-win-in-afghanistan-part-ii/#comment-35702 Brother Tim Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:11:46 +0000 http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/?p=940#comment-35702 All of that would require a drastic change in U.S. Foreign Policy, like a 180 degree change. Ain't gonna happen. The U.S. Corporate/Military/Industrial Complex would never allow it. You have a better chance at a precipitous withdrawal. The powers in charge of our government have no concern for the welfare of humanity; only their natural resources. The U.S. is not just there to build, secure, and control a pipeline for the removal of the Caspian Basin Oil Reserves. There is <a href="http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1214/" rel="nofollow">a much bigger booty to be had</a>. This was a very idealistic post, Wil, and I applaud you! It's a shame people of your calibre aren't running things. Bill-- There IS plenty of gold, see the above link. All of that would require a drastic change in U.S. Foreign Policy, like a 180 degree change. Ain’t gonna happen. The U.S. Corporate/Military/Industrial Complex would never allow it. You have a better chance at a precipitous withdrawal. The powers in charge of our government have no concern for the welfare of humanity; only their natural resources. The U.S. is not just there to build, secure, and control a pipeline for the removal of the Caspian Basin Oil Reserves. There is a much bigger booty to be had.

This was a very idealistic post, Wil, and I applaud you! It’s a shame people of your calibre aren’t running things.

Bill–
There IS plenty of gold, see the above link.

]]> By: nunya http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/2009/08/how-to-win-in-afghanistan-part-ii/#comment-35687 nunya Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:10:23 +0000 http://www.internationalpoliticalwill.com/?p=940#comment-35687 Great idea. Not gonna happen. I don't think they have achieved their objective, although who knows what that is? U.S. might swap troops in Afghanistan <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2009/09/02/Afghan_MCT_0902.ART_ART_09-02-09_A3_R2EUO3I.html?sid=101" rel="nofollow">Adding infantry units, sending home support staff possible </a> Wednesday, September 2, 2009 2:59 AM Great idea.

Not gonna happen. I don’t think they have achieved their objective, although who knows what that is?

U.S. might swap troops in Afghanistan Adding infantry units, sending home support staff possible
Wednesday, September 2, 2009 2:59 AM

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