Oct 12

A Surge Too Far

Military, War on Terror Add comments

Ralph Peters does not like nation building in Afghanistan. I agree.

BTW: “Surge too Far” refers back to Operation Market Garden in WWII.  There, the Allies, tried to go a “bridge too far”, overextended, and got their hats handed to them.

Given resources and time our military could “nation build” Afghanistan.  I doubt the cost would be worth it. Or the results durable.

I favor Peter’s approach instead.  Does this mean I’m not “listening” to McChrystal?  No – I changed the mission.

6 Responses to “A Surge Too Far”

  1. Carl Nelson Says:
    October 12th, 2009 at 9:26 am

    too

  2. KevinG Says:
    October 12th, 2009 at 9:34 am

    Broken link to Ralph’s article.

  3. Ken Says:
    October 12th, 2009 at 9:44 am

    fixed to and link.

  4. Kevin Says:
    October 12th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

    O’s problem, as has been pointed out previously, is that he tried to sound like a tough but thoughtful guy by saying he was against Iraq but for Afghanistan. Now his bluff has been called and of course he is dithering. Nothing we didn’t expect.
    I say pull out all but special ops, forget about nation building and target attacks against Al quaeda and the Taliban as needed. Do this in Pakistan with or without their approval. Or anywhere else in the world, without waiting on approval. W didn’t do it, so my hopes for O are even lower.

  5. TR Says:
    October 12th, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    It’s the State Department fools who blame the military for State’s lack of nation building capability. Military folks break things and kill people. It’s State’s fault that diplomacy fails to erect a viable Afgan government, not those trying to root out the bad guys and provide security.

  6. Ken Says:
    October 12th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    I don’t blame anybody.They are doing a good job. I just doubt it will work make us more secure, or is worth the cost.