Iraq crisis stirs fears Afghanistan could be next

Next? Like it isn't already a disaster? Wil the US stay forever? The ongoing chorus of people saying that if we don't intervene they will attack us and if we leave it will all go wrong is silly. The remote possibility of some loon trying to attack the West against the ongoing cost in blood and money seems to me to be a poor trade.

Talk about stating the obvious! Of course Afghanistan will be become Taliban country after the US stops propping up Karzai. Why even ask that question.

That said, of course the West should stop throwing money into these Shariah hellholes and instead start to look after its own interest. When will our bonehead politicians stop sacrificing Western lifes and ressources for politically correct but impossible causes?

I see latest press reports are US will only assist if Maliki steps down. Now that's what I call promoting freedom and democracy!!!!

You can stay another 5,10,15 or 20 years but what do they think will happen after that? Stability? Will the ethnic and tribal rivalries disappear or will Afghanistan see a mass outbreak of secularism? Stop sacrificing lives and flushing money down the toilet.

Willib, most sensible thing I've ever seen you write.

Keep it up. :-)

Nobody can instill secular and noble ideas in minds of religious fanatics. Let Iraqi and Afghanistan people fight for their freedom and peace. Unless they fight they can't understand values of secularism and peace. US should refrain from helping any sect or government. Because, as we all know now that they don't appreciate it.

"a resurgent Taliban.... Of course Afghanistan will be become Taliban country after the US stops propping up Karzai. Why even ask that question"

Hey, the Taliban must be popular! Must be most Afghans think girls shouldn't go to school, and everyone should follow a super-strict interpretation of Islamic law...

Serrano:

" Hey, the Taliban must be popular! Must be most Afghans think girls shouldn't go to school, and everyone should follow a super-strict interpretation of Islamic law... "

Actually, yes. And the "refugees" from the islamic hellholes that we accept are bringing the same concepts into the West too.

That might not be the rosy politically correct phantasy picture that that you (and our governmentsI) believe in, but that is reality.

Sushisake

I think you live in a country that was run by a fanatic militaristic religious regime, subjugates by the US and has been occupied by the US for over 60 years...

The domino effect - - -

Afghanistan was, is and will be a mess. Tribal leaders, c-mon now, they will always have internal conflict. The illicit poppy trade has fed, does feed, and will continue to feed the taliban and their ways.

fears that hard-fought gains could be wiped out

Would someone like to point out me what these "hard-fought gains" actually are? All 12 years worth?

That's beside the point. Question is, what to do now. Personally, I could care less if these guys kill themselves, but at some point, we will in some form or capacity have to deal with these fanatics. But throwing more money to these two countries and if Maliki and Karzai want to be stubborn, it's on them. Once all the forces in Afghanistan pull out, Karzai will follow, you can believe that, he's NOT that stupid and would stay. Maliki's got Iran backing him, so he might fair well. This whole thing is one big cluster.....

SimondB:

" Would someone like to point out me what these "hard-fought gains" actually are? All 12 years worth? "

The only tangible gain of the whole ill-advised Middle East policy of BOTH American admins is the de facto independent Kurdistan of today. Alas, the current admin seems adamant to reverse that and force the Kurds back under a Shiite regime.

"Would someone like to point out me what these "hard-fought gains" actually are? All 12 years worth?"

Lessee... girls going to school, free elections ( yes, they were held after the Taliban were kicked out ), people can listen to music, fly kites... you're right, it wasn't worth all the lost lives, money and aggravation, was it?