tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352780903142089915.post6763174333136550740..comments2024-01-12T14:51:23.690-08:00Comments on All Things Wildly Considered: The Taliban in AfghanistanFrank Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18214921895704057150noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352780903142089915.post-61990780972142601452009-08-16T20:53:43.866-07:002009-08-16T20:53:43.866-07:00Dave, We knew that Afghanistan was going to be ver...Dave, We knew that Afghanistan was going to be very tough. I read about the destruction of the poppy fields and the moves into the Taliban stronghold provinces. Also the election is such an important event. I pray that our missions do "break the back" of the Taliban and al Qauda. Negotiations with such a varied, mixed populace is impossible until we sort the good from the bad. U.S. and British troops are doing an outstanding, courageous job. I hope Obama has good communications with our service leaders in the field. Nothing would make me happier than to see the insurgents fighting each other. For God and country- bless the troops.Frank Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18214921895704057150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352780903142089915.post-67935556968136330012009-08-16T18:49:17.503-07:002009-08-16T18:49:17.503-07:00By most accounts, we knew there would be an increa...By most accounts, we knew there would be an increase in deaths with the increase in troops and the ensuing military surge. We are now in Provinces that were Taliban strongholds for years after 9/11. They had the time and wherewithal to fortify their positions. As time progress's, the death toll will dwindle. We must maintain the course because to do otherwise is unconscionable. <br /> <br />Because of the effectiveness of the Predator drones systematically neutralizing the Taliban leadership in Pakistan, we now have them virtually at a state of civil war. We are arguably on the brink of breaking the backs of the Taliban and al Qaeda. <br /><br />I think you'll need both a military and political solution to help Afghanistan rid their country of the Taliban. The military is obviously required to render the Taliban ineffective and give the civilian leadership and civilian population the confidence to stand up against the remnants.<br /><br />We all hate that our greatest national treasure, the American fighting men/women, perish in faraway lands. Their sacrifices are untold and their families deserve the greatest of respect. <br /><br />I fear the war on terror will last through our lifetime. I hope I'm wrong.Dave Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12089245440406849397noreply@blogger.com