Comments for Lithuanians in Afghanistan at http://www.michaelyon-online.com , comment 1 to 10 out of 10 comments http://www.michaelyon-online.com Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:51:16 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/lithuanians-in-afghanistan.htm#comment-19311 Aha! Abu Muqawa's whereabouts have been exposed! Nice work, Mr. Yon. So much for his deep cover and absence from the blogosphere. Great writing as always. Amazing, actually. You DO know everyone. - britsarmymom Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:09:35 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/lithuanians-in-afghanistan.htm#comment-19310 History says we will lose in Afghanistan. No one since the time of Alexander the Great has managed to occupy Afghanistan for more than a few decades, and most of the invaders lasted only a few years. None ever managed to squeeze any profit out of their occupation, and it has caused the downfall of more than one empire. But still, as Barbara Tuchmann once said, "One of the main things we learn from history is that our leaders never learn anything from history." Obama is probably aware of the disaster awaiting us, but isn't strong enough yet to say "No" to the Pentagon so more innocents are going to die. - brianb Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:46:08 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/lithuanians-in-afghanistan.htm#comment-19309 The Karzai government is corrupt, top to bottom and is not viewed as legitimate. August elections may well be the final blow. I understand the 4 most corrupt governments in the world are Myanmar, Haiti, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We do not have enough blood and treasure, not to mention national will, for the long haul. Much like Iraq, were we not present, the internecine battles would prevail, as they have for the last 1000 years. The future is very bleak. - Scott Dudley Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:51:22 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/lithuanians-in-afghanistan.htm#comment-19308 Afghanistan is a much, much tougher nut than Iraq. Iraq at least functioned as a modern nation state--even if it was a police state--for decades. And Iraq had an educated middle-class to build on. In Afghanistan, after more than 30 years of brutal outside meddling (the Soviets, Pak) that have reduced the place to a medieval theocracy at best, and Mad Max anarchy at worst, the starting line is lost in piles of rubble. That said, I know a lot of middle-aged and older Afghans, truly fine folks, who remember the days of stability after WWII through the early 1970s. And they yearn desperately for that. I'm realistic, which means a tempered pessimist. The military and civil affairs task ahead is gigantic, hugely expensive, and if done right, it's gonna be very long-term. Ten years, minimum. Moreover, a lot of good people--American and Afghan--are going to die this year. I fear we don't have the stomach for this type of grueling, long-term engagement--we never really did, and certainly not now, after eight years of wars. I fear we'll declare 'victory,' hand things off quietly to the corrupt and ruthless Pak government, and walk away from Afghanistan once again, the way we did after the Russians pulled out. - Rationalist Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:19:21 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/lithuanians-in-afghanistan.htm#comment-19307 We have been in a critical phase for years. The "Triage" strategy postulates that we must win the hearts and minds to succeed. It is a pop-centric plan that would remove forces from shaky areas to inkblot areas (Anyone remember strategic hamlets?) I have serious doubts that this one is winable. We are going to lose a lot of good troops over the next 5 months before winter sets in. Much tougher than Iraq in my opinion. - Scott Dudley Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:46:19 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/lithuanians-in-afghanistan.htm#comment-19306 We are entering a critical--and long phase--of the Afghan war. We'll see if the American public has the appetite or attention span to see it through. Sadly, I'm not optimistic. Especially in times of economic harship, the public's horizons always shrink, their concerns become local, and the country turns inward. - Rationalist Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:42:16 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/lithuanians-in-afghanistan.htm#comment-19304 I PREFER your RUBS to the main stream media any, and every day of the week. - Photo Slave Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:01:46 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/lithuanians-in-afghanistan.htm#comment-19303 I would rather have it in RUB format than nothing at all. - Ben Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:53:43 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/lithuanians-in-afghanistan.htm#comment-19301 There's hope for Afghanistan if the Philipinos are arriving - the gentilest of people who always give value for money and mind their own business. Michael Jackson and Farah Fawsett....You know everybody, Mike. Love your work. Stay safe. - Gismo Fly, London Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:07:58 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/lithuanians-in-afghanistan.htm#comment-19300 Mike, During the Vietnam years, my men often asked me "Why are we here?" I never had a good answer. Fighting communism seemed a weak response because the Vietnamese I interacted with could care less about capitalism or communism, they just wanted to be left alone. In your interviews/discussions there, I would be curious to know what our achievable objectives are and the timeframe. Seems the profiteers are looking at about 5 years before interest and money runs out. - Scott Dudley Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:33:12 +0100