We’ve All Deceived Ourselves About Why We're Fighting In Afghanistan

It's difficult to beat an insurgency and the Taliban, when the people support the insurgency. It's like Vietnam, we own the sky and they own the ground, their space gives them safety. We support a corrupt democratic government, while the Taliban want self rule and independence.

He's not wrong. But I think after seeing what happened when the US pulled out of Iraq it has changed why we are there and how we are fighting. If anyone doesn't realize another attack at home will be probable if we pull out they should probably do more homework.

Stepping back...none of this article is actually profound. Most wars are started by leaders with sweeping ideological justifications. Then, the joes get into their first fight, and everything is reduced to primal "my guys right or wrong" mentalities. Find me a war where this DIDN'T happen.

I can definitely vouch for the bit about green-on-blue attacks. The Afghan culture combines extremely thin skin with an absurd bloodlust, to make an insane definition of honor. An idea of honor that can get offended over nothing, yet demands the death of the offender, or someone important to him. Either that, OR the outcasting of the one offended, because now he's "without honor". This culture--alongside the nation's strategic geographical position--ensures there will never be any sense of Afghan identity larger than blood-feuding warrior tribes.