I don't know what the answer is.I just don't want those Islamanazis to gain total control over the region.

Typhoon: I just think that we need to temper our response with something that will help build a strong republic, which is quite a difficult talk, knowing what we are up against.

We need to concentrate on the original enemy and let the Afghans try to settle down into there normal short-term government. We cannot change thousands of years of bickering.

My how things change in such a few days... The UN Count the Votes bunch are falling over themselves to ' justify' the election to the west, so that people won't think the 'first world' has supported a corrupt/incompetent regime simply because that group leans to the west [ where the money and power comes from ]..The local component of that committee quits because he thinks [sees?] the big guys trying to play balance the sword rather than shouting out the truth.

Karzai rigged the election - ballots cast in places where no balloting was 'allowed' [ i.e. Taliban controlled territory ], more votes cast than there were people in some regions..etc. etc..and, to be fair, Abdullah wasn't snow white, either.. BUT, if they come out and declare the vote' tainted' they will either have to hold another one [ very tough to do in terms of cost, winter, security, etc. etc. ] or allow a 'run-off' vote by claiming Karzai really didn't get the over 50% vote he claims [suggesting that he was corrupt - well, let's say 'imprecise' in his count ]and the possibility of Abdaullah getting in on the 'second round' as a protest to Karzai who has had less than a stellar run at running things [ though, not all of it was his fault - let's face it, money ' pledged' isn't money in the bank to be used -and tha Taliban, diminished though they are, still pack a punch when you've got nothing to throw at them - even the army and police won't work without weapons and pay ].

Most likely, the committee will declare that there were 'spoiled ballots' and reduce his lead from 54% to just enough to squeak by..saving face and putting a spin on things but not really satisfying anyone.. still, it gets them the breathing room until the next term when Karzai can't run again [ unless 'the people' decide to change the constitution- hey, it happens all the time in South America ].

As for the Taliban threat.. Well, we're seeing it more and more in Pakistan, not Afghanistan these days.. where they are getting a bigger bang for their buck, all due to their being 'assisted' by Al Quaeda, the real bad guys who have the clout and the funds to 'help them ' [ and get them to do the things on Al Quaeda's 'agenda ' ]..

So, now Obama can [ whew] say the troops aren't needed in Afghanistan [ IF NATO steps up and finally does what it says it would do ], thus scoring points back home, and send money and 'expertise' to help ' democratic' Pakistan put down the ' universal threat' from terrorism [ because we can't have the Islamic fanatic/fundamentalists taking over and playing with Paki nukes! ].

Trouble is..[ and it can't be that obvious, is it? ]. whack Al Quaeda in Pakistan [ by proxy - letting the government there do all the heavy lifting - no need or want for American troops to be on their sovereign territory - way bad optics both locally and globally ] and they'll just run back over the border into Afghanistan where they started out in the first place, because Afghanistan can't stop them, because their troops, etc. aren't up to it, and the NATO boys ,with few exceptions, are afraid to get their uniforms dirty 'cause that looks bad back home where the 'real votes' in all this are.

what a mess..No wonder everyone hates the UN.. all noble words and no action.. NATO looks more and more irrelevant and toothless and Obama doesn't even get to finish his first year in office without having to have the White House barber dye the grey hairs black and cover up the spots where he's been pulling his hair out in frustration..

c'mon 2012 and wipe it all out so we can start again with the 'new, improved' plan for mankind

http://www.nationsonline.org/o.../afghanistan_map.htm

That's not an investment.

http://www.nationsonline.org/o..._map_afghanistan.htm

Study the second link well. Notice the large clump of land to the right? That's the SUPPOSED great nation of China. Pull back further if need be and wave at dumb ass Russia too. Look where they are : IN THE THICK OF HELL, RIGHT WHERE THE VAST MAJORITY OSAMA'S FANCLUB IS! They both might be talking tough and yapping about Americas supposed decline, but that's only because we are the FOCAL POINT as of now. If we hit the road " THE GOONS " would >>> FOCUS <<< east and north. Nothing better than a messed up backyard to screw up boring Russian and Chinese goose-step training.

p.s. And yes Rocketeer you are right and very clever at making complexity look like simplicity, but the bad news is all NEWS MEDIAS spend the day boasting about their ratings vs the other dopes. That is when they are not bleaching their teeth or buying a new extra skin tight " Lost in Space " outfit.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TYPHOON44,

Obama is still studying the goat entrails and his tarot cards hoping things will sort themselves out..

http://www.theglobeandmail.com...says/article1322646/

See that the Brit Government has announced that they are upping the number of Tommies in the 'Stan to 9500..second largest contribution to 'counter the Taliban' after the US numbers [ Canada is still number 3 ]...

nice gesture, all help welcome...but, it won't matter much if the Government is seen as illegitimate/corrupt when election results are 'officially revealed' [ and we all know there will be some who won't 'accept' the results no matter what the UN commission says ] and that will make it harder for Obama to justify any more troop 'surges'...

Numbers of allied troops in Afghanistan now almost match the numbers the Russkies sent in before the big ' strategic withdrawl'..

It's the way of the Western nations.
No long term goals,no long term plan,no will to think in long term parameters.
Other cultures (Asian) have no trouble planning for 20,30 year goals.
Western minds want it done now!
Yesterday.
Short-sighted and potentially fatal flaw in dealing with complicated international policies.

Yes, but the increase in McDonald's restaurants will change all of that.

compounding the problem:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com...stan/article1323817/

assessing the situation

http://news.sympatico.ctv.ca/H...t=&abc=abc&date=True

Normally I despise CBS,but seems they've got some insight here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories...ws/main5370148.shtml