(Afghanistan, Realism & Restraint) - '..the Afghan war alone drove [US] decline.' - Afghanistan Buries Another Empire

'“Declare victory and get out”?

In 1966, in the middle of the Vietnam War, the late Senator George Aiken of Vermont famously recommended that the United States simply "declare victory and get out." With the benefit of hindsight, that seems like pretty good advice.'

- Stephen M. Walt, “Declare victory and get out”? December 19, 2012



'Afghanistan has been called the “graveyard of empires.” And while America’s frustration there might not prove as dramatic as, say, the Soviet retreat in 1988, it’s worth taking stock of how much we’ve lost since the war began. Twenty years ago, we were optimistic about peace in the Middle East; today we’re cynical. Twenty years ago, we were respected throughout much of the world; today we wonder whether that same world has gone post-American. Twenty years ago, we had a fiscal surplus; today we run massive deficits and a national debt larger than our entire economy, thanks in part to our wars. Twenty years ago, our democracy seemed like a model for places like Afghanistan; today it’s as anxious and uncertain as it’s been in my lifetime.

That isn’t to say the Afghan war alone drove our decline. But it does stand as a relic of a past age, a manifestation of a folly that left us weaker than we were before. After all this time, after all this blood, there is only one thing left to do: Bring the troops home.'

- Matt Purple, Afghanistan Buries Another Empire, February 25, 2021



'Purple did not discuss reason #4, the Industrial Military Complex. The weapons industry is forever seeking more weapons and more wars.

It funnels money to candidates who are "strong on defense". But "defense" has nothing to do with it.

The industry now demands perpetual war. Not even 20 years in Afghanistan is enough. The complex wants a new front, in Iran.

Illegal and Immoral War in Iraq

Bush launched an illegal and immoral war on Iraq. It was founded on a lie, just as the Vietnam Was was founded on a lie.

..

Sorry, cutting troops doesn't count. Even advisors are a no-no. Vietnam started with advisors.

Threatening to bomb Iran is not a negation tactic, it's major idiocy. So are advisors and so is arming Saudi Arabia.

The longer we stay, the more American troops will die. More deaths do not honor the dead.

Given that it is so difficult to declare the war won, the sane thing is to not enter these messes in the first place. Unfortunately, we are still there, 20 years and counting.'

- Mish, Declare Victory in Afghanistan and Get the Hell Out Now! March 5, 2021



Context

(Peace) - '..Sadly, my generation had to relearn the lessons of Vietnam in Iraq and Afghanistan .. to do everything in our power to avoid more wars..'

'..foreign forces are to leave Afghanistan by May 2021..'

'..end the forever wars..' - Biden


New Zealand troops to leave Afghanistan after 20-year deployment