Afghanistan is becoming a war of unification – it has brought conservatives and liberals together in questioning the wisdom of increasing the U.S. – NATO “footprint” in a country that has a long history of defeating foreign armies.
Debate over the best way to fight the war in Afghanistan – indeed, on whether a war should be fought there at all by U.S. and NATO forces – intensified last week. In no small part, that was due to George Will, a long-respected, high-profile, conservative columnist, raising the issue.
Those who advocate reducing troop strength put their faith in American technology, envisioning a long-distance, surgical-strike, techn0-war in which drones and cruise missiles and the occasional raid by special ops forces prevent the resurgence of terror groups like Al Qaeda. Counterterroism and counterinsurgency experts, however, say a war fought from the perimeters won’t succeed.
Click here to read a New York Times report that presents both sides’ arguments.
Currently, GreatHistory’s partner site ArmchairGeneral.com is running an opinion poll on whether troop strength should be increased or reduced. As this is being written, 56% favor more troops on the ground, 31% favor reduction, and 13% are undecided. Click here if you would like to register your vote.
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September 8th, 2009 at 1:41 pm