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Originally posted by Phaenx
No, it's not like Russia vs. Afghanistan. We are doing much better then they did in Afghanistan, and by comparison we're still doing much better in Iraq. We've accomplished a lot in terms of commerce and getting their economy back on its feet and establishing a ruling system, I don't think Russia even managed to defeat the Taliban in the first place let alone focus on rebuilding.
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The taliban were not in power at the time the Russians were in Afghanistan. They only came to power about 3 or so years ago.
Do you really know what is going on in Afghanistan? I don't. Depends who you listen to. The big media has pulled out of Afghanistan because that is not where the ratings generating action is now. But the fact of the matter is that Afghanistan hasn't really changed one bit. The country remains a very dangerous lawless place, run by fanatics and war lords. The taliban / whoever was ever in control before, are still doing what they always did wherever they did it.
Quote:
Originally posted by Phaenx
Iraq is likely going to be a key piece of land in our fight against terrorism and our ability to quickly mobilize forces worldwide, it will allow us to replace our military base in Saudi Arabia and relieve some of the cultural pressure surrounding it's prescense there, and if Iran starts acting up we can have a large fighting force on them very quickly, and as we've seen, when you've got the most powerful military in the world standing on your doorstep, you change your tone quickly enough. So yes, Iraq is important to us.
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Oh man, that is unreal.
How many of the 911 terrorists were Iraqis?
Answer - 0
How many of the 911 terrorists were Iranian?
Answer - 0
How many of the 911 terrorists were Saudis?
Answer 15 of 19.
The US was based in Saudi Arabia. As you say, "the world's most powerful military standing "inside" your doorstep"
Didn't seem to deter the Saudis now did it. In fact, it is what pissed them off in the first place.
It would appear that the Americans have not learned from the first time.
I don't think a long term american presence in Iraq will guarantee you the security you think it will. If anything, it will do the reverse and serve to enflame and already insane region of the world.
In my eyes, the solution to preventing future terrorism is not to hire more police, but to change the mindset that created the forces that made the terrorists in the first place.
Easier said then done I realize, but the big stick idea won't work.