Posted on May 25, 2014
Fighting Afghan Terrorism, Without Troops
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If the U.S. and NATO pull all troops out, how can the international community minimize the risk of a terrorist resurgence?
Having no troops or bases in Afghanistan would limit U.S. operational flexibility in tracking and interdicting terrorist threats there. American forces now enjoy proximity, relative freedom of action and manifold intelligence, communications and transportation assets. Common sense and physics suggest that these advantages will be eroded if no American forces remain in country.
Whats your opinion?
Having no troops or bases in Afghanistan would limit U.S. operational flexibility in tracking and interdicting terrorist threats there. American forces now enjoy proximity, relative freedom of action and manifold intelligence, communications and transportation assets. Common sense and physics suggest that these advantages will be eroded if no American forces remain in country.
Whats your opinion?
Posted in these groups: 
Politics
Military Analyst
Politics Military Analyst
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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The Afghan people see US soldiers as occupiers, not as liberators. US should support the Afghan government by providing resources (equipment) as well as other support (advisers, training). Assisting the Afghans with medical facilities is another potential investment. US can likewise provide limited aviation support for evacuation, special operations, etc.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Well said point made, however could you explain why the Afghan citizen see U.S. Soldiers ad occupiers not as liberators.
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SPC (Join to see)
SFC D,
I sent you a connect request, as I wish to reply to your inquiry in a private context.
I sent you a connect request, as I wish to reply to your inquiry in a private context.
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SPC (Join to see)
In a less-personal context. Imagine if there were foreign soldiers outside your window, foreign soldiers who could not speak your language, or knew your customs. You would undoubtedly consider them "occupiers". Imagine if one of those foreign soldiers at one point killed someone from your hometown, how would you view them?
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I don't think we will ever convince the Afghan people we have their best interests at heart, partly because we have our OWN interests at heart first. We will keep the terrorist resurgence at a low boil through intel and drone strikes on leadership. From a Realpolitik perspective (what is good for my nation's security is good....everything else is secondary), we should keep bases and access in Afghanistan, even if we pull out most of our troops. Afghanistan doesn't have any resources we care about, but like real-estate...location, location, location. Look at a map. I doubt we'll leave completely before 2025.
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Col Joseph Lenertz
I stand corrected, and good for them! It would be good for all if Afghanistan had another industry beyond poppies.
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