Time to quit Afghanistan?

Iraq/Afghanistan reduced the Bush presidency to rubble. Vietnam had LBJ 'hiding' out in the Whitehouse towards the end of his full term.

Truman's popularity took a dive in the wake of the Korean War.

Is Obama's Administration trapped into supporting the illegitimate Kharsai to the detriment of their reputation? Given Afghanistans ability to hold out against empire's for centuries, is this the unwinnable of all wars?.

Should Obama simply gulp and include a full withdrawal as part of his 'apology' tour and then get on with the business of putting America on centre stage to take the lead on energy reform and innovation, as well as make sure he delivers his health care plan as promised?

Originally posted by kmax87
Given Afghanistans ability to hold out against empire's for centuries, is this the unwinnable of all wars?.

It is unwinable if it remains purely a war based on arms. If the US took the time to improve education and good governance (both of which they are working on) then the war is winnable, though it takes time. However, maintaining your reputation at home is another matter.

We should either get out, or have a draft, raise taxes, send a million man army and get it over with ASAP with no monkey business. That is to say do it right or don't do it at all. (My own view is we will not have a draft and so we should get out. If we get actionable intelligence regarding Al Qida, we should send in quick strike special forces or precision bombs to take them out, and then get out.)

Originally posted by kmax87
Iraq/Afghanistan reduced the Bush presidency to rubble. Vietnam had LBJ 'hiding' out in the Whitehouse towards the end of his full term.

Truman's popularity took a dive in the wake of the Korean War.

Is Obama's Administration trapped into supporting the illegitimate Kharsai to the detriment of their reputation? Given Afghanistans ability to hold out aga ...[text shortened]... reform and innovation, as well as make sure he delivers his health care plan as promised?

Perhaps a better path would be to do what Bush and Co. should have done, that is to make the case to the leaders of Russia and Europe that terrorism is a worldwide problem, and that it would be in there self interest to aid America in Afganistan. Bush's message to Europe and Russia in 2002 was "YOU supply troops, but WE give the marching orders!" This arrogent and short sighted approach cost America vital troop support, and caused America to shoulder the entire cost of this war. It's not too late...offering Europe and Russia an olive branch could still result in international support for this war effort. America could then begin withdrawing troops, and be part of an international effort of fighting global terror, rather than trying to police the entire world as Bush and Co. tried to do.😏