U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Aldridge looks over a cliff as he provides security while his fellow soldiers, Afghan National Army soldiers and U.S. Air Force airmen of the 755th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit move to an enemy weapons cache point on the side of a mountain in Mandikowl, Afghanistan, on Dec. 23, 2006. Aldridge is with the10th Mountain Division's Special Troops Battalion. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus J. Quarterman, U.S. Army. (Released)Want War? The Afghans Will Oblige -- Star Tribune
Not necessarily on behalf of Al-Qaida or the Taliban. On behalf of their sovereignty.
The United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States. Three Great Powers. Four invasions of Afghanistan. The first three ended badly for the invaders -- and for the Afghans. Now, both U.S. presidential candidates tell us we need more resources for Afghanistan, where our military leaders assert we aren't losing -- but concede we're not winning, either. Before following either candidate, perhaps we should compare wars and consider the current realities. Why do we think the fourth time's the charm?
Great Britain, flexing its imperial muscle, invaded Afghanistan in 1839. It easily took Kabul and settled in to colonial rule. But by 1842, its forces were stumbling through rugged passes in retreat. Only one British officer, physician William Brydon, made it out alive.
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My Comment: Is history repeating itself .... the answer is probably yes. Unfortunately, the complication that is Afghanistan is its previous support for extremists like Al Qaeda .... who in turn used this support and Afghan territory to engage in war with other countries .... 9/11 being the straw that broke the camel's back.