(01-09-2018, 01:15 PM)Kane Wrote:

(01-09-2018, 07:30 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: It is my understanding that we supply our forces in Afghanistan through Pakistan, and that it would be very difficult logistically if we did not go through Pakistan.  If we can't go through Pakistan, we can't reach Afghanistan.  Of course, we can't go through Iran, which would be the only other alternative.   Take a look at the map.  

So, if the Pakistanis say, fine, if you're not going to send us any aid, we will align ourselves with China, what then?   We pull out of Afghanistan?   Because we cannot supply ourselves in Afghanistan without going through Pakistan. 

And then, if we cannot put any forces in Afghanistan, do we leave Afghanistan to the terrorists- ISIS, Al Qaeda, whoever?   And at that point, we have Pakistan under threat from crazy people in Afghanistan, and Pakistan has a whole lot of nuclear weapons.   The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is impossible to defend or seal off.  

I assume we've thought this through...

Are we supposed to stay in Afghanistan forever to prevent terrorist groups from forming?
At some point these countries have to figure it out for themselves. We can not continue to be world police.

ISIS is beat back in a big way right now... but to think we're ever going to eliminate terrorism is silly and naive.
If we can get the region settled just a bit in the next year, I think we should fully start pulling out of the area.

We can still have our military stationed in friendly countries in case of needing to act against China, North Korea, or anyone else.