ChatterBank1 min ago
Now that Al qaeda are no longer in Afghanistan what are we doing there?
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The 9-11 outrage was perpetrated by Saudi's. The attack on London transport by Pakistanis. What threat does Afghanistan pose to the UK?
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The function of the Coalition forces is not just to remove Al Qaeda from Afghanistan, but to train the Afghan Army and Police to run the country.
As jake said, Al Qaeda would just return.
Initially, I was for the war, but slowly, after 8yrs of minimal progress, I can see that an exit strategy is needed, as I am not convinced that Afghanistan wants Westernisation, in any form.
As for terrorists, being trained in Afghanistan, then increase anti-terrorist activity and refuse ALL Afghans entry in to the UK.
As jake said, Al Qaeda would just return.
Initially, I was for the war, but slowly, after 8yrs of minimal progress, I can see that an exit strategy is needed, as I am not convinced that Afghanistan wants Westernisation, in any form.
As for terrorists, being trained in Afghanistan, then increase anti-terrorist activity and refuse ALL Afghans entry in to the UK.
9/11 Was an inside job, The attack carried on in London was by the British born and they were as much Pakistani's as Boxer Amir Khan. It was not even transported by Pakistani's as two months visit there can not change upbringing of all life in this country.
What are we doing in Afghanistan? Good question. let me know if you find the answer.
What are we doing in Afghanistan? Good question. let me know if you find the answer.
Here you go - down the bottom are the country contributions compared to the size of the country
(sorry for the quality)
http://www.asianwindo...fghanistan_troops.jpg
Inside job Keyplus - get real! If that had been the case the planes would have been full of pointers to Iraq and not to the US's regional chums the Saudis
(sorry for the quality)
http://www.asianwindo...fghanistan_troops.jpg
Inside job Keyplus - get real! If that had been the case the planes would have been full of pointers to Iraq and not to the US's regional chums the Saudis
Refuse all Afghans entry to the UK
I am impressed how many Afghans were involved in 9/11? how many have been behind terror plots? Over half those convicted of terror plots were here legally
Do you think they come in with special "terrorist passports"
If you want to get out I 'd say the best plan is to seal the country off at Pakistan not at Heathrow. That involves troops withdrawing to Pakistan but that might not be politically possible
I am impressed how many Afghans were involved in 9/11? how many have been behind terror plots? Over half those convicted of terror plots were here legally
Do you think they come in with special "terrorist passports"
If you want to get out I 'd say the best plan is to seal the country off at Pakistan not at Heathrow. That involves troops withdrawing to Pakistan but that might not be politically possible
Our troops should be pulled out of Afghanistan, as enough good men have been killed and seriously injured/maimed for life.
Of course Al Qaeda will return, whether we pull out now or in 5, 10 years time, so what's the point?
Once training complete of the Afghan army and their Police, a get out strategy should be implemented to get our troops out, and back home safely to their loved ones/families.
Of course Al Qaeda will return, whether we pull out now or in 5, 10 years time, so what's the point?
Once training complete of the Afghan army and their Police, a get out strategy should be implemented to get our troops out, and back home safely to their loved ones/families.
We have the fourth biggest military in the world. The Russians aren't going to join in with us after last time, and the Chinese are too busy making 52 inch televisions.
The rest of the world (with a few exceptions) were asked by Bush in 2001 to be part of a coalition of the willing. They wisely declined the offer to get bogged down in an unwinnable war.
The aim is not to bring democracy to Afghanistan or even give the people western style freedoms, it is to install a pro-western Government, whether the indgenous tribes want it or not.
Al qaeda are not tied to any particular country. Before Afghanistan, they were based in Sudan. We have driven most of them out of Afghanistan (there are about 300 fighters still there), so they have moved to Pakistan. Their fight is ideological, so they can be based in several countries at the same time as they have been in the past.
The various terror cells that make up al qaeda are not going to go away. We need to be more sophisticated in how we deal with them. The civilian deaths in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Gaza we can easily dismiss as an unfortunate accident, but the result is that many people in many countries get angry by it and want to avenge those deaths, and take up weapons to use against us.
Hopefully, under Obama, American's foreign policy will be less gung-ho and hawkish, and they might actually try to avoid very costly wars instead of starting them. But don't hold your breath.
The rest of the world (with a few exceptions) were asked by Bush in 2001 to be part of a coalition of the willing. They wisely declined the offer to get bogged down in an unwinnable war.
The aim is not to bring democracy to Afghanistan or even give the people western style freedoms, it is to install a pro-western Government, whether the indgenous tribes want it or not.
Al qaeda are not tied to any particular country. Before Afghanistan, they were based in Sudan. We have driven most of them out of Afghanistan (there are about 300 fighters still there), so they have moved to Pakistan. Their fight is ideological, so they can be based in several countries at the same time as they have been in the past.
The various terror cells that make up al qaeda are not going to go away. We need to be more sophisticated in how we deal with them. The civilian deaths in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Gaza we can easily dismiss as an unfortunate accident, but the result is that many people in many countries get angry by it and want to avenge those deaths, and take up weapons to use against us.
Hopefully, under Obama, American's foreign policy will be less gung-ho and hawkish, and they might actually try to avoid very costly wars instead of starting them. But don't hold your breath.
Well that is the current strategy Yogi
But the Afghan Police and Armed forces need a stable political system to control and run them.
The recent elections have shown how far away that is - hence everybody's impatience.
Gromit - Yes Al Qaeda can operate in other failed states notable Somalia and Sudan but Afghanistan is particularly good for them because of how easy it is to use Pakistan as a door to the west.
How many flights land at Heathrow from Somalia and Sudan in your average day!
The idea that we can now just pack up and go home with no consequences is a dangerous fantasy
But the Afghan Police and Armed forces need a stable political system to control and run them.
The recent elections have shown how far away that is - hence everybody's impatience.
Gromit - Yes Al Qaeda can operate in other failed states notable Somalia and Sudan but Afghanistan is particularly good for them because of how easy it is to use Pakistan as a door to the west.
How many flights land at Heathrow from Somalia and Sudan in your average day!
The idea that we can now just pack up and go home with no consequences is a dangerous fantasy
jake-the-peg
But the terrorists don't come from Afghanistan or Pakistan to harm us. The 911 attack originated in the Philippines, and the 7/7 bombers were homegrown. Previous attacks such as the U.S.S. Cole was in Yemen, and the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania mean that British and Americans are targets were ever they are.
Al qaeda can be based anywhere or nowhere. It just so happened that the Taleban gave them safe haven because they share a similar ideology.
But the terrorists don't come from Afghanistan or Pakistan to harm us. The 911 attack originated in the Philippines, and the 7/7 bombers were homegrown. Previous attacks such as the U.S.S. Cole was in Yemen, and the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania mean that British and Americans are targets were ever they are.
Al qaeda can be based anywhere or nowhere. It just so happened that the Taleban gave them safe haven because they share a similar ideology.
Reasons we were told we are in Afghanistan.
To capture Osama Bin Laden.
To destroy the poppy fields, thus preventing the drugs from arriving on Britain's streets.
To win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people.
To seek and destroy the training camps of the Taliban
To make the streets of the UK safe from terrorist attacks.
To train the Afghans so that in time they will be able to take over the responsibility of running their own country.
To introduce development plans designed to produce rapid improvement in the lives of the local people.
Take your pick, somehow I don't think the real reason is amongst these.
This from report from June 2006 ( just 3½ years ago) makes interesting reading.
http://www.independen...r-the-war-482127.html
To capture Osama Bin Laden.
To destroy the poppy fields, thus preventing the drugs from arriving on Britain's streets.
To win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people.
To seek and destroy the training camps of the Taliban
To make the streets of the UK safe from terrorist attacks.
To train the Afghans so that in time they will be able to take over the responsibility of running their own country.
To introduce development plans designed to produce rapid improvement in the lives of the local people.
Take your pick, somehow I don't think the real reason is amongst these.
This from report from June 2006 ( just 3½ years ago) makes interesting reading.
http://www.independen...r-the-war-482127.html
http://www.guardian.c...n-soldiers-corruption
Taken from this morning's Guardian.
It refers to Gordon Brown's recent speech.
/// He warned: "I am not prepared to put the lives of British men and women in harm's way for a government that does not stand up against corruption."////
//// Brown explained that he had spoken with Karzai several times this week and the two men had agreed a set of goals covering five areas – security, governance, political reconciliation, economic development and relations with neighbouring countries.////
Well that's alright then, but I wonder how long it will take for the Afghan Government to implement these measures?
Once again what we have come to expect from Brown, empty words followed by no action whatsoever.
Taken from this morning's Guardian.
It refers to Gordon Brown's recent speech.
/// He warned: "I am not prepared to put the lives of British men and women in harm's way for a government that does not stand up against corruption."////
//// Brown explained that he had spoken with Karzai several times this week and the two men had agreed a set of goals covering five areas – security, governance, political reconciliation, economic development and relations with neighbouring countries.////
Well that's alright then, but I wonder how long it will take for the Afghan Government to implement these measures?
Once again what we have come to expect from Brown, empty words followed by no action whatsoever.
// I wish you would stop using the word "OUR" to somehow convince us that you are one of us.//
The policy of 'us' is to fight this war and not retreat. You are the one advocating pulling out. Does this mean you are not one of us?
I am British but that does not stop me criticising our (oh, I've said it again) side when we foul up. To blinkeredly take one side and believe it can do no wrong is no different than being brianwashed by the Koran. If the US bombs a wedding party, there is no point in defending a mistake.
The policy of 'us' is to fight this war and not retreat. You are the one advocating pulling out. Does this mean you are not one of us?
I am British but that does not stop me criticising our (oh, I've said it again) side when we foul up. To blinkeredly take one side and believe it can do no wrong is no different than being brianwashed by the Koran. If the US bombs a wedding party, there is no point in defending a mistake.
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