Yes, I agree completely. The Afghanistan tragedy is just another in a long series of US foreign policy debacles, the Americans never learn. Don't they realise that Afghanistan is not a nation in any sense?
As long as Australians believe, that, by assisting the US in its 'interventions', we're somehow paying an insurance premium for future American assistance we will never be free of the US and its imperialist foreign policy.
Who could possibly believe that the coalition forces are making progress in Afghanistan?

The Americans are in Afghanistan because they are hubristic and ignorant and Australia is involved because it's essentially a vassal of the USA.
Our troops should be repatriated asap.

Kellie, it doesn't seem as though too many of the OLO posters are interested, otherwise there should have been a couple of dozen posts by now. This is a subject about which we should be getting very passionate, particularly in view of the moves to send female soldiers to the front line.

It has been estimated that 97 percent of the Afghanistan GDP is contributed by the American government. Most of that money is going either into the hands of all the contractors or the corrupt Afghan bureaucrats, warlords,etc., leaving very little to actually improve the lot of the locals. We hear a lot of baloney about what difference it will make to the local economy if we leave, but in actual fact, it will make very little difference to the people in the villages. They will be happy to see us all go.

Bring it on.

David

Now that bin Laden is dead, the Americans will start to bring their troops home in accordance with Obama's already published timetable. If we have any sense, we'll do the same. Then Pakistan's intelligence services can resume their interference in Afghanistan uninterrupted.

Tragically, the persecution of women will also resume but there'll be no more Afghan-originated attacks on the USA.

Hi there Kellie...

I totally agree with you. Even though I'm a great believer in maintaining close ties with the US however, this is a war that can't ever be won.

As you stated inter alia, there's considerable corruption at the top of that governenment, with President Karzai leading the charge. That alone makes it almost impossible to predict a victory.

It was like that in South Vietnam, farmer by day, 'cong by night. How could we ever hope to clearly identify the enmey, let alone defeat him in his own environment. I can unequivocally attest to that !

No matter what we attempt do there, well never dislodge the Taliban from their mountainous strongholds where as tribesmen they've been ensconced therein like, forever. It's their home. The Russians couldn't beat 'em, neither can we.

God, didn't we learn ANYTHING from the Vietnam experience, 500 odd DEAD !

We MUST NOT allow another single drop of blood to be spilt by any of our soldiers - not a single drop !

Spot on Kellie.

Based on current exit-strategy criteria, allied forces would be in Afghanistan for many more years if departure rests on establishing a non-corrupt democratic regime. Karzai's regime has already ferretted away much of the funds provided for schools and similar projects into dodgy housing contracts and lining the pockets of the elite.

And many more lives lost for what?

How many troops over there in afganistan are conscripts, how many in the army were drafted.
It seems that the brave soldiers that are in our wonderful armed services are their of their own free will.
Willing to do a service that appears to be mocked and humiliated by some self undeserving individuals.
I say thank you for your unselfless acts and standing up for my free liberal life and all my rights of free speech.
Unfortuately this exercise over in afganistan is only a dress rehearsal for when the real task starts it will be over a much larger area, more than likley including our most beautiful country.
But I suppose we can always just lay down and die!
Vietnam and Korea were different, countrymen against countrymen even when we were there defending a democratic way of life against subjuation.
I think there are a few afganis on the side of the taliban but most want our help, in the long run you will find that Karzai and his corrupt regieme will go the same way as what is happening in most of the despot run countries now.