Dorian

To clarify, I'm not so sure about an immediate pullout being my position. It would be nice to have a legit, friendly government in some sort of control, having gone this far. Wish I knew enough to know how to propose achieving that.

I certainly agree that we won't change the culture no matter how long we stay. My fear is whether we stay another day or another ten years, the Taliban or some warlord version of it will come right back to power as soon as we leave. Whether they would provide a safe haven for terrorists again or just a safe haven for opium production and distribution, I don't know. My guess is that, to avoid a second invasion, they'd stick to opium and tell the terrorists to set up camp elsewhere. But, how do you know for sure? I sympathize with both Obama and our military in trying to figure this one out.

But I love your take on Afghanistan. You're spot-on with the culture and our attempt to change it. Perhaps it would be best if we actually encourage the opium farmers? I'm not one of those drug-legalizer types, but opium has been a part of Afghanistan culture for thousands of years. Can we be so arrogant to think we can change that? I don't think so. It's apparent that the Afghanis do not want western industry or culture. If we leave Afghanistan, like you suggest (and I agree), then we have to be prepared to deal with the opium drug lords. Otherwise, the Taliban will be right back in after the last soldier departs.

No foreign government, foreign military or foreign influence has ever tamed or significantly changed Afghanistan. We did our job when we ran out the Taliban. We need to learn to accomplish our mission and leave instead of going on to the folly of “nation building,” particularly in a tribal, 16th century culture like Afghanistan.