The Pull of The Taliban
Posted By The Dude on October 16, 2009
I’ve been one of the select few who have stood in the rubble at Ground Zero amid the aftermath of 9/11 and stood and fought in Taliban controlled territory in southeastern Afghanistan. Having been in these positions I’ve been able to deeply reflect on these situations. Shortly after 9/11, our country had the support from most of the world as we went into Afghanistan and did what we had to do. Upon doing so we made a lot of promises to the Afghan people, however as you all know, our country’s military focus soon shifted to Iraq.
The Afghan people are the most patient group of people I have ever met. By the time I got into Afghanistan in 2006, the average Afghan was beginning to wonder when they should start to see all of these promises we had made to them over the previous 5 years. Most of these promises at the ground level were just your basic quality of living improvements and jobs. While interrogating some of the few Taliban fighters we had caught alive and actually admitted to being Taliban, there was one who made me pause one day. Surprised that he had admitted to being Taliban, I asked him why he would want to be a member of such a group. He responded with “I didn’t want to initially but after a while I finally gave up on the American’s promise of jobs. I have a family of a wife and three kids. The Taliban offered me money and I need to support my family. I don’t hate Americans but they don’t do anything for me so why shouldn’t I join them.” With this statement I understood where he was coming from and why he felt he needed to join the Taliban. I’m not saying I liked it but I understood it.
The article below discusses in further detail how the numbers of the Taliban are growing and it doesn’t surprise me at all, unfortunately. Whatever strategy for Afghanistan President Obama chooses in the upcoming days, the struggle ahead will continue to be a struggle. In my opinion, its a struggle that needs to continue but do I dare ask how long can we keep this up as a country before we are financially broken?
http://www.military.com/news/article/taliban-strength-nears-military-proportion.html?ESRC=eb.nl
Live Free or Die Trying!
A additional strategy may have to be implemented altogether at this rate! I still think that the women should be allowed to leave if they want. Allow a exodus even if temporarily to least give them some measure of safety.