Having checked on this thread from time to time it occurs to me there must be a similar American forum with ten times the depressing list of casualties in Afghanistan. Add to that the British, Australians, Dutch, Belgians etc who are being killed or wounded daily.
I feel I am of average intelligence with a long interest in the military and follow world affairs very closely. Despite this I have NEVER seen or heard anyone from any nation explaining exactly what we doing there and what we are trying to achieve.
Political clap-trap about "improving the lives of the Afghan people" seems to be the sum total of the reasons for a continuous growing list of dead soldiers.
The recent highly talked-up elections with almost no elector turnout and now the totally expected corruption cries from the losers was the publicised justification for the slaughter of our soldiers for the last two years - a total failure.
Abysmal double standards are evident when the world's prime source of heroin could be totally eradicated in a few weeks but is left to grow so the farmers will not be influenced to turn to the Taliban after losing an income (they have only had in relatively recent years anyhow). The Americans and all of us partners should rightly be listing the ruined lives and miserable deaths of thousands of our people through the use of this "agricultural" crop as casualties of the war as well.
What military aims do we have other than to drive around until unlucky enough to be killed by a remotely fired explosive placed by an enemy who seldom gathers in numbers large enough to result in any decisive or even telling battle. I don't know, none of the Generals I have seen interviewed know, can the politicians please tell us.
The British were massacred in Afghanistan over several campaigns, the might of the entire Russian military effort could make no headway despite much more relaxed rules of engagement, restrictions or ethics than now restrict our troops.
Sure, Afghan life was not the best under the Taliban but Afghanistan is a shining light of peace and freedom compared to a long list of other countries. Who cares about the Congo and Angola where 6 million (yes the same number as the entire holocaust!) have died and continue to die. Rwanda - millions, Somalia - million etc etc.
Is there anyone on the forum who can tell me (and the rest of the world) EXACTLY why we are in Afghanistan and what are the exact military aims which justify the staggering cost and dismal casualty lists.
Lang
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