Obama, Afghanistan and the Conceit of American Power?
August 5, 2009
Just what is the United States under President Obama doing in Afghanistan? And what can history teach us about our these efforts?
Andrew J. Bacevich has a critical essay in the new issue of Commonweal on the current American involvement there, its rationale and its perils. I recommend everyone’s reading it.
www.commonwealmagazine.org/article.php3?id_article=2609
Comments on the article are welcome here.
Update: For a working link, go to comment one.
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12 Comments
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Here is the link:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/article.php3?id_article=2609
Kudos Mark, for bringing to our attention the on-going war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It is indeed difficult to understand why we are still in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is even more difficult to understand why no one seems to care.
It is even more difficult to understand why no one seems to care.
Um, perhaps it’s simply the circles you run around in.
Mark,
I am with you (almost) all the way (how is that for skating an issue…lol)
My only concern is, I think, President Obama’s cocern: we were indeed attacked 9/11, and Bush’s remarks about either a group or a nation that supports that group (The Taliban Government at the time) is responsible and a legitimate “target”.
Iraq, in my opinion as well as many, had nothing to do with 9/11. Afganistan is another story. It did.
Do we simply withdrawl from Afganistan in every respect, knowing that those who were responsible for 9/11 are still “in business” ? Especially if a withrawl could make is rather easy for the Taliban to once again take control of the country ?
I’m just asking this as a question. I’m not sure myself.
Also, making our security better is, of course, the primary objective. However, in the light of the actual event of 9/11, do we simply “cease and desist” from any military actions ?
I’m really not sure here. Imput welcome. Its a great point, and the article you site was also great.
I agree that we should not create or act as though there is an “American Empire”. Frankly, history tells us that “Empires” go bankrupt trying to be an empire. More importantly, the morality of “empire” is even more important.
However, we WERE attacked on 9/ll. Better security here at home and no other response. Perhaps. I’m not sure…
Do we simply withdrawl from Afganistan in every respect, knowing that those who were responsible for 9/11 are still “in business” ? Especially if a withrawl could make is rather easy for the Taliban to once again take control of the country ?
B.C.,
It seems to me the answer no, we do not withdraw and let the Taliban regain power.
Regarding Iraq, we should never have invaded, but remember “the Pottery Barn rule” (which I believe was articulated by Colin Powell): “You break it, you own it.” We invaded, and we are now very much responsible for what happens there. How can anyone justify immediate withdrawal from Iraq without regard to the consequences? I don’t know what the correct way is to wrap things up, but it is clear to me we just can’t turn our backs and walk away.
1. One always should quote Kipling on Afghanistan:
When you’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An’ go to your Gawd like a soldier.
http://www.everypoet.com/archive/poetry/Rudyard_Kipling/kipling_the_young_british_soldier.htm
David:
Yes, both Powell and Kerry justified the continued occupation of Iraq with the Pottery Barn Rule. Well, I have my own rule its called the “Bull in a Pottery Barn Rule”. Per this rule the Bull entering Pottery Barn may mean well and may not intend to cause damage and sincerely intends to rectify whatever damage he causes, but despite the good intentions the longer he stays in the Pottery Barn the worse damage he causes and he best thing the Bull can do is to just leave and let the staff clean things up.
Perhaps, but the owner of the bull now owns a bunch of broken pottery, and will be expected to pay for it.
awakaman,
Actually, Powell is said to have invoked the Pottery Barn rule to Bush in advance of the invasion of Iraq. It wasn’t as a justification for staying in. It was a warning of the consequences of invading in the first place.
Michael,
The circles I run in?
I’m a human being just like you. I have friends, I read the news, I listen to the radio. I listen to our politicians. These are the people I was referring to.
Zach – Thanks for the clarification. Beyond those people, though, there are countless people who care.
They’re not loud enough.
Excellent article as a starting point for developing creative and realistic strategies beginning with communication with leaders in those countries that are occupied by US military forces and getting a clear picture of what they may want from the US and what they may view as their future for their country.