Ten years is a long time to pursue a war. A long time to nation build. A long time to commit America's military and finantial assets. To put things into perspective - the United States fought in a World War, won that war, established Democracy in those countries, then rebuilt the former enemies fallen infrastructure in about the same amount of time.
The reason for our military action in Afghanistan was real and yes, necessary. Afghanistan was the home base of Al Quada - the group responsible for attacking America on its own soil on September 11th. They and their assets needed to be neutralized and a safe haven for their activities denied. The Taliban held a brutal hold upon that country. Women were executed for acts as simple as showing too much skin. Some were shot because they dared to teach their female children to read. Others were beheaded because they were raped and apparently, in some bizarre and twisted way, brought dishonor to their families. Once the U.S. led invasion of Afghanistan was successful, these brutal acts ended. Children both boys and girls attended newly built schools. Hospitals reopened. And at a very high cost both in blood and national treasure - security was established. But now a decade has elapsed. It is not unreasonable to think that the Afghan army should be able to provide for their own country's security. But is our commitment greater than the people we liberated? If so, and sadly I believe this to be the case - it is time to depart - at least the major cities, such as they are.
The problem is that Afghanistan is less of a country than it appears. A population that is largely uneducated and tribal, there is no unifying tie that binds them. They have little historical experience in a strong national government. It is an alien concept to them. They are poor - eeking out an existence in a hostile environment both politically, culturally and environmentally. They appear to have no appetite for the hard slog necessary to liberate themselves and establish a nation. To be fair, there have been many Afghans ready to make that sacrifice. But are there enough? And why, after 10 years are there not more of them? Perhaps they are better suited to the existence they know than the one they could have. And perhaps it is time for us to realize that.
I would not abandon the country and our military assets entirely. We should establish and maintain one or two bases outside the major cities, away from populated areas where we could react to AlQuaeda incursions and Taliban military activities. Drones could be used more often to reduce the risk to U.S. military personnel. There is no need for us to risk American lives patrolling Afghan cities and towns. Let Afghan security forces take on the brunt of maintaining security and doing the heavy lifting. After all, it is their country.
In every measurable way, we have been successful in this Afghan war. The enemy has been routed. Defeated. He holds no ground except that which he uses to cross and escape into neighboring Pakistan. An elected government, though corrupt, has been established. A national army trained. Now it is time for us to exit stage left and go home. Whether Afghanistan remains free or not is largely out of our hands. We cannot force the love of democracy upon a people. It is their to embrace - understand the sacrifices necessary or allow themselves to revert to oppression. The choice and the hard work is theirs.
