Our Afghan Policy

I am confused. Our policy makers tell us that we must pursue the war in Afghanistan lest that country become a nest of terrorists bound and determined to strike the United States. They also tell us that another reason for pursuing the war is to prevent Islamic extremists (i.e., terrorists) from taking control of the Pakistani government and thereby obtain access to their nuclear capability. This makes absolutely no sense to me at all.

There is no evidence that the Taliban, a purely Afghan movement, poses any threat to the United States. If the Taliban obtained control in Afghanistan, there is no evidence it would automatically cede authority to al Qaeda. Prior to our Iraq invasion, Vice President Chaney assured us that Saddam was harboring al Qaeda, offering them both sanctuary as well as support. We now know there never was any intelligence supporting this claim (other than the two fabricators, CURVEBALL and Chalabi, beloved by the V.P.). Where is either CIA or military intelligence suggesting a similar arrangement would exist between the Taliban and al Qaeda? Why would home-grown Afghani nationalists cede authority to a foreign Arab element? Makes no sense.

Our troops carry on military operations in Afghanistan against the Taliban. We are having only limited success, our military command tells us, because the Taliban and al Qaeda leadership have taken refuge in Pakistan. Now I understand. We are fighting Taliban and al Qaeda insurgents in Afghanistan to keep them from gaining political control in Pakistan. At the same time, our military commanders admit that our operations are driving them out of Afghanistan into Pakistan. Why, for heaven’s sakes, aren’t we basing our operations in Pakistan, driving the insurgents into Afghanistan, a country that poses no real threat against the United States?

To restate my first sentence, I am confused.