LOL.Dilbert_X wrote:
You did install a puppet govt, they just aren't so good at taking orders.THAT would be imperialism, if we installed a puppet government in their country that took orders from DC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15209793Stanley McChrystal wrote:
"We didn't know enough and we still don't know enough," he said. "Most of us - me included - had a very superficial understanding of the situation and history, and we had a frighteningly simplistic view of recent history, the last 50 years," he said.
He added that while the choice to engage in Afghanistan may have been seen as the US acting on its right to defend itself after 9/11, the decision to invade Iraq two years later had both "changed the Muslim world's view of America's effort" and diverted some military resources that could have been put to good use in Afghanistan.
Taliban out of power.Beduin wrote:
far from goals...
The guy hasn't been there for over a year. He isn't in a position to say how close or far we are from achieving our military goals...since those are the specific goals he mentioned, not the overall goals for the country.Dilbert_X wrote:
According to my new friend Mr McChrystal Afghanistan is barely half-way there.
So not exactly close, and given the US is hoping to pull out in a year or so I'd say nine years away might as well be forever.
Unless he's over there, getting briefed by the commanders on the ground, no. He's not receiving classified information any longer. His source of info today is the news...just like the rest of us. And what his buddies are willing to tell him, which won't be a complete picture.Dilbert_X wrote:
Oh OK, he just sits at home with a rug over his knees watching sitcoms does he?
I'm prepared to accept he has a better idea than us, so I'll listen to what he has to say.
There's a huge difference. If you can't see that, I can't help you.Dilbert_X wrote:
This year, last year, ten years on is there much difference?
wat? this is not even funny, man.FEOS wrote:
Representative, elected government in place.
Last edited by Shocking (2011-10-07 05:39:54)
Erm OK....Shocking wrote:
Whatever you may think of the government, they were elected by the Afghans themselves.
Uhhhh.... how is that wrong exactly?Shocking wrote:
that the real enemy is in Pakistan. You're ignorant of the history of Afghanistan, state
Go argue with the international election observers who allowed the elections to go forward.Dilbert_X wrote:
Erm OK....Shocking wrote:
Whatever you may think of the government, they were elected by the Afghans themselves.
They were.Dilbert_X wrote:
Shame they weren't there for the Bush election eh?
Full PDFNevertheless, while there has been progress in some counter-narcotics areas, the medium-term indicators for opium production are not positive. According to the Survey, cultivation in 2011 has reached 131,000 hectares compared to 123,000 hectares of the previous two years. The amount of opium produced has risen from 3,600 metric tons in 2010 to 5,800 metric tons in 2011.
Based on the 7 per cent upturn in cultivation indicated in the Survey, production levels may be heading in the direction of previous highs seen before 2010. The 2010 Survey pointed to a drastic decline over previous high production levels due to the opium plant disease that laid waste to poppy production.
