Afghanistan

[Minimalist]

They just want aid after aid.

I wonder.  I mean that is the result but right now it looks like we are backing one gang of drug dealers against another gang of drug dealers and calling it "foreign policy."  Our gang - the gang that can't shoot straight - desperately needs us to stay to protect them.  Bin Laden is dead.  There is no point to remaining in Afghanistan especially since we have created far more terrorist havens is less remote spots.

[abaris]

I wonder.  I mean that is the result but right now it looks like we are backing one gang of drug dealers against another gang of drug dealers and calling it "foreign policy.

That's about the size of it. And it has been since 1879, I think was the year, when the British were sent home with bloody noses. It has always been a country not reacting well to foreign powers setting foot on their soil.

The only tragedy is the most backwards gang getting the upper hand again.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

They just want aid after aid.

I wonder.  I mean that is the result but right now it looks like we are backing one gang of drug dealers against another gang of drug dealers and calling it "foreign policy."  Our gang - the gang that can't shoot straight - desperately needs us to stay to protect them.  Bin Laden is dead.  There is no point to remaining in Afghanistan especially since we have created far more terrorist havens is less remote spots.

We have to protect our opium supply!  The other terrorists don't have opium so who cares what they do.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

Sobering.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/25/asia/afgha...=rss_world

Afghanistan war: Just what was the point?

Remember this when some republicunt asshole starts talking about carpet bombing the desert.

Just put the Michigan Governor in charge.  He and his henchmen will poison their water.  They are experts at it.

[Minimalist]

Shitfuck.

http://www.vox.com/2016/2/26/11116874/af...an-failure

A new government report on Afghanistan reconstruction includes a startling fact: The US has spent more money — a lot more money — trying to rebuild Afghanistan than we did rebuilding Europe after World War II.

Since FY 2002, Congress has appropriated approximately $113.1 billion to rebuild Afghanistan. That is at least $10 billion more, adjusted for inflation, than the amount the United States committed in civilian assistance to help rebuild Western Europe after World War II.

What a clusterfuck.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

Shitfuck.

http://www.vox.com/2016/2/26/11116874/af...an-failure

A new government report on Afghanistan reconstruction includes a startling fact: The US has spent more money — a lot more money — trying to rebuild Afghanistan than we did rebuilding Europe after World War II.

Since FY 2002, Congress has appropriated approximately $113.1 billion to rebuild Afghanistan. That is at least $10 billion more, adjusted for inflation, than the amount the United States committed in civilian assistance to help rebuild Western Europe after World War II.

What a clusterfuck.

Just imagine the bill for Syria.  Dodo birds had more sense than the dummies running our foreign policy.

[vorlon13]

I keep harping about US guvmint bloat.

And remember, Afghanistan is sitting on trillions of dollars worth of rare earth elements, vital to 21st century industry. Don't know who's dumber, the US for giving Afghanistan a cash enema*, or the fucking Mos there that don't realize they could be richer than all the gulf arab states combined.

*which was siphoned off 90-99% to graft, corruption, war lords, etc.

[abaris]

Don't know who's dumber, the US for giving Afghanistan a cash enema*, or the fucking Mos their that don't realize they could be richer than all the gulf arab states combined.

Why would they be dumb, if they already earn a fortune by planting Opium? It's much easier to farm than rare earths and net instant profits for the gangs and tribes involved.

[vorlon13]

Hell, even Michael Corleone realized the advantage of going legit . . .

[downbeatplumb]

Shitfuck.

http://www.vox.com/2016/2/26/11116874/af...an-failure

A new government report on Afghanistan reconstruction includes a startling fact: The US has spent more money — a lot more money — trying to rebuild Afghanistan than we did rebuilding Europe after World War II.

Since FY 2002, Congress has appropriated approximately $113.1 billion to rebuild Afghanistan. That is at least $10 billion more, adjusted for inflation, than the amount the United States committed in civilian assistance to help rebuild Western Europe after World War II.

What a clusterfuck.

They spent 113 billion and it doesn't look like they spent a penny. Maybe the money somehow found its way into other pockets?