Thread: AQ in Afghanistan

First a prelude to the poll:



In August our President said that the goal was to be disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opini...e_general.html



And he is getting pressure from the left to quit Afghanistan.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09280/1003447-374.stm



But intelligence reports do not indicate that AQ has been defeated. Sure one can choose to take heed of some reports while ignoring others. Claiming that the intel means the war has been a victory is the kind of cherry picking that was charged against F P. Bush when he used intelligence to go into Iraq.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/art...ain_98600.html



so this is your chance to tell us what you know.



Is AQ defeated in Afghanistan?

AQ is waiting for NATO to leave. While they're waiting they'll do roadside bombs, market bombs and the occasional targted opp... just biding time.



I don't have a clue how to overcome this strategy. They live there, we don't. They go about their lives in the meanshile, we have people thousands of miles from home and family at bankrupting costs. An AQ recruit farms, lives his life, minds his own business for 360 days a year, then in the summer plants a couple bombs. Then it's back to church and mom's house for dinner.



The pressure to leave is NOT because people feel it's won. It's because people feel its futile. I think the mission was and is valid and that the people there need help. But it's been 9 years now and you can't keep doing what isn't working for 9 years.

[quote name='Dr.Knuckles' date='07 October 2009 - 10:48 AM' timestamp='1254930524' post='33969']

AQ is waiting for NATO to leave. While they're waiting they'll do roadside bombs, market bombs and the occasional targted opp... just biding time.



I don't have a clue how to overcome this strategy. They live there, we don't. They go about their lives in the meanshile, we have people thousands of miles from home and family at bankrupting costs. An AQ recruit farms, lives his life, minds his own business for 360 days a year, then in the summer plants a couple bombs. Then it's back to church and mom's house for dinner.



The pressure to leave is NOT because people feel it's won. It's because people feel its futile. I think the mission was and is valid and that the people there need help. But it's been 9 years now and you can't keep doing what isn't working for 9 years.

[/quote]



I agree. McChrystal believes that sending more troops is one element that will help. Maybe a surge in forces will help in the short run. Gates has stated that he does not want the General speaking out like that anymore. Bullshit on Gates. McChrystal also believes that we need to use unconventional means of warfare ... drones and etc. The biggest thing is that we have to win the support of the people of Afghanistan. We need to do more to protect them, show them that we do care and want to help them. Maybe he is right. He is afterall the one on the ground.

[quote name='Dr.Knuckles' date='07 October 2009 - 08:48 AM' timestamp='1254930524' post='33969']

AQ is waiting for NATO to leave. While they're waiting they'll do roadside bombs, market bombs and the occasional targted opp... just biding time.



I don't have a clue how to overcome this strategy.[/quote]



Kill them where they're found when they're found. No prisoners, no courts, no trials.



War is hell, quit trying to refine it.

AQ has not been defeated anywhere let alone Afghanistan.