I'm in the Army. I think the mission we originally set out to do is about as accomplished as can be expected against a guerrilla force, and I wish we would leave. Bin Laden is toast. It has been nearly 12 years since we invaded Afghanistan. I was in elementary school when it happened. Now I'm 21. I was in Iraq in 2011 when we finally pulled out of that mess. Take it from me, the insurgent cells there actually fight each other and/or the Kurds and Iraqi Government forces as much or more than they did U.S. forces. Violent incidents have actually risen since we left. The Middle East has basically been in a state of perpetual war since ancient times, and I don't think we can change their strife. They love to kill one another, especially Sunnis vs Shiites. You hand them their country back from the grip of Saddam's dictatorship, then get nothing but a puzzled look in return. They tend to flounder about ineffectually when given the autonomy and freedom to make their own choices.
I figure Afghanistan will be similar. The Taliban/Al-Qaeda can't really be completely destroyed like a uniformed army representing a nation. They'll still exist when we leave. Hopefully the Afghan Army/police can hold it down, but I don't have much faith in them. Especially Karzai. What a worm. Most of the rural parts of the country are tribal with Elders anyway, his government has weak influence.
Unfortunately it looks like my unit will end up doing a tour there as well before my 4 years is up. It's time to leave. We're throwing away lives and resources for a largely unappreciative populace. Even Karzai doesn't like us, despite the fact that he wouldn't even be in office without us. Just like the crappy new Iraqi president.
Is it normal I support the troops, but not the war.
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I'm in the Army. I think the mission we originally set out to do is about as accomplished as can be expected against a guerrilla force, and I wish we would leave. Bin Laden is toast. It has been nearly 12 years since we invaded Afghanistan. I was in elementary school when it happened. Now I'm 21. I was in Iraq in 2011 when we finally pulled out of that mess. Take it from me, the insurgent cells there actually fight each other and/or the Kurds and Iraqi Government forces as much or more than they did U.S. forces. Violent incidents have actually risen since we left. The Middle East has basically been in a state of perpetual war since ancient times, and I don't think we can change their strife. They love to kill one another, especially Sunnis vs Shiites. You hand them their country back from the grip of Saddam's dictatorship, then get nothing but a puzzled look in return. They tend to flounder about ineffectually when given the autonomy and freedom to make their own choices.
I figure Afghanistan will be similar. The Taliban/Al-Qaeda can't really be completely destroyed like a uniformed army representing a nation. They'll still exist when we leave. Hopefully the Afghan Army/police can hold it down, but I don't have much faith in them. Especially Karzai. What a worm. Most of the rural parts of the country are tribal with Elders anyway, his government has weak influence.
Unfortunately it looks like my unit will end up doing a tour there as well before my 4 years is up. It's time to leave. We're throwing away lives and resources for a largely unappreciative populace. Even Karzai doesn't like us, despite the fact that he wouldn't even be in office without us. Just like the crappy new Iraqi president.
I agree though, and appreciate the support.