Given the myriad of challenges facing the nation, the country doesn't need a distraction like an escalation of the conflict in distant Afghanistan. Yet, Obama appears committed to unwisely augment the war effort there. After seven years of occupation that has failed to quell unrest, it is illogical to believe a relatively small boost in troop strength will make much of a difference. More troops will almost certainly spur more misery and death in Afghanistan, but it wouldn't seem to be a sound strategy if the goal is to eradicate international terrorism.
Is it too complex a concept for Americans to grasp that our seemingly interminable occupation in Afghanistan is spawning hatred among Afghans? Moreover, the incompetence and impotency of the US-backed Karzai government has not helped the American cause. The US has failed to bring stability to much of Afghanistan, while making little headway against the resurgent Taliban. When innocent Afghans die as a result of our aggressive actions, it can only foment more hatred among the war weary Afghan population. Success in Afganistan is impossible if we fail to win the hearts and minds of the native population. Boosting the numbers of the occupying force will likely have the undesirable effect of spurring nationalistic Afghans to take up the cause against American troops. As long as our actions continue to anger Afghans, we'll get nowhere in Afghanistan.
Though we are loath to admit it, many of the so-called extremists arrayed against America in Afghanistan are presumbaly waging battle against our forces because they are tired of our troops being there. Just think how America would react if Russia or China occupied this country for seven years and showed no inclination to leave. And by boosting troop strength, the signal we are sending is we are here to stay whether Afghans like it or not. This is bound to stimulate anti-American sentiment and lead to a surge of exasperated Afghans ready to fight against our forces.
The most persuasive argument against more troops being deployed in Afghanistan is we can't afford to continue fighting a senseless war. To prop up a rapidly cratering economy, the federal government is now prepared to fend off economic disaster by spending billions. We are looking at a gaping budget deficit next year and beyond. A county in such perilous shape has no business fighting a senseless war in a distant locale. So let's do the sensible thing and save some money by gradually disengaging from Afghanistan and stop breeding resentment in a volatile region.
The war weary Afghan people deserve a chance to pursue their own dreams. That can't happen as long as the country is occupied by foreign troops. In addition, it is not in America's best interest to escalate a war in a distant land when the country is facing such tough economic challenges. Seven years of senseless war is more than enough. Americans should oppose any effort to expand the war in Afghanistan.
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