Three cheers for VB

[Charles]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/n...-1225972663285

As Winston would say, "It was their finest hour."

Chas

[finnbow]

For $5 or for free, our boys won't be getting any as it's totally dry for them. I'm pleased for the Aussies and VB's effort though. Cheerio.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by finnbow

For $5 or for free, our boys won't be getting any as it's totally dry for them. I'm pleased for the Aussies and VB's effort though. Cheerio.

We certainly wouldn't want our troops to offend the sensibilities of the bastards we sent them to kill, would we???

Now Iraq stunk, and still does...but it is in a strategic location. Boosch may have been wise to heed Machavelli's advice that "nothing is more difficult than to change the order of things." But it was shit or get off of the pot time, and he did the best that he could.

I'll be the first to admit, his actions were HIGHLY dabatable.


But Afghanistan? This is a proxy war against Pakistan, the best I can detect. And, as you've said, "the graveyard of empires."

I'll also admit, the Joint Chief's don't brief me as much as they should. But after 10 years of war, the time has come for a different strategy.

I'm not sure we can win in Afghanistan.

We're running short on treasure, so be it. But to expect these kids to leave any more blood on the ground in a war which, once again, we are fighting with one arm tied behind our backs, is unconscionable.

My crummy two cents,

Chas

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by Charles

But Afghanistan? This is a proxy war against Pakistan, the best I can detect. And, as you've said, "the graveyard of empires."

I'll also admit, the Joint Chief's don't brief me as much as they should. But after 10 years of war, the time has come for a different strategy.

I'm not sure we can win in Afghanistan.

We're running short on treasure, so be it. But to expect these kids to leave any more blood on the ground in a war which, once again, we are fighting with one arm tied behind our backs, is unconscionable.

My crummy two cents,

Chas

You are dead on, Chas.

What we are after is in Pakistan. But Pakistan is an ally, a tenuous ally at best, but an ally. And it is also a "nuclear power" which
changes the game a bit. Invading would be a political, diplomatic, and military nightmare. Not to mention they have the capability to nuke our soldiers if they see us preparing for invasion.

So, what are we to do?

I'm glad it's not MY call.

Dave

[Brother_Karl]

I wonder how long it'll be before the US-coalition retreats out of Afghanistan as well? Possibly before 2012?

When you're fighting an experienced guerrilla enemy over a landscape which is mostly countryside and mountains, and when the countries outside of the combat zone are easily accessible for retreating purposes, and when you’re surrounded by other countries who like to finance the enemy that you’re fighting against, you're fucked.

The Soviets couldnt do it. NATO cant do it. Afghanistan is unconquerable by nation states.

[Combwork]

Originally Posted by Brother_Karl

I wonder how long it'll be before the US-coalition retreats out of Afghanistan as well? Possibly before 2012?

When you're fighting an experienced guerrilla enemy over a landscape which is mostly countryside and mountains, and when the countries outside of the combat zone are easily accessible for retreating purposes, and when you’re surrounded by other countries who like to finance the enemy that you’re fighting against, you're fucked.

The Soviets couldnt do it. NATO cant do it. Afghanistan is unconquerable by nation states.

I'm not sure about unconquerable, but I don't think it can be done by going in with a specific objective, then once that objective has been achieved or abandoned, withdrawing. If you look at history, it seems to me that the only sure way to conquer is to colonise and if need be to bring the natives in line, use brute force at a local level.

[merrylander]

Apparently the biggest source of jihhadists is a madrass in the wilds of Pakistan. The Pakis have an army post less than 10 miles away from it but they won't clean it out. Because it is a 'religious' builing we won't take it out with Helfires. Bring our people home cut off all funds to the Pakis and tell them to get their embassy the hell out of here. Then send a few B-52s with bunker busters over the madrass and surrounding hillsides and politely inform all parties that any sign of jihadist training camps will be obliterated as they pop up.

[d-ray657]

Forgive me Combwork, if my memory is bad, but you are a Scot, right? Both Scotland and the US have a history being colonies. Indeed, other than Europe, there are few places on earth that have not been colonies (or at least subject states) at one point or another in their history. England, Japan, France, Italy (Rome) and Russia have been imperial Powers. Some of our history buffs here can fill in this picture more than me.

We are supposed to have overcome imperialism by now. That's a nice ideal, but the reality . . .

Regards,

D-Ray

[piece-itpete]

Dang, I want to try that bitter!

Hornblower said regarding the navy anyway, you can starve them, beat them, etc, but when the rum gives out you've got a mutiny.

I'm just a disagreeable character, I guess, but we said the same thing about Iraq. We're not leaving Afghanistan anytime soon.

Pete

[Charles]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Dang, I want to try that bitter!

Hornblower said regarding the navy anyway, you can starve them, beat them, etc, but when the rum gives out you've got a mutiny.

I'm just a disagreeable character, I guess, but we said the same thing about Iraq. We're not leaving Afghanistan anytime soon.

Pete

I suspect you're correct, after all, we're still in the Philippines. And Korea. And Kosovo. And.........

Chas