Over the last 8 years the War in Afghanistan has made little to no progress. The United States entered Afghanistan to eliminate the terrorist threat, but we have failed. Now eight years after the attacks on September 11, General Stanley McChrystal, Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan, is asking President Barack Obama for a troop surge of epic proportions. In addition to the 68,000 troops already stationed there, General McChrystal is requesting between 30,000 and 40,000 more troops. But the troop levels are not necessary, given that Afghanistan serves as absolutely no threat to America.
Since 9/11, there has not been even one terrorist attack on American soil. We should not continue to waste American taxpayer money on a war that is not needed. The driving thought process behind this war is neoconservative imperialism, the idea that America needs to take over a country for its own good. The main proponents of remaining in Afghanistan are people in the “defense industry” who make a fortune on selling guns, services, machines, vehicles, and mercenaries to the United States armed forces. There is no need to “defend” America from Afghanistan, ranked as the 181st most productive country in the world by the United Nations. The American economy is in no state for any war, let alone making an existing one larger. The Afghan War has already cost the United States over $200 billion, so almost doubling the war effort will have a huge impact on the economy. Unlike the old system of war in which the nation would back its forces (like in WWII) our daily lives continue unscathed by the harsh reality that our nation’s young men and women are dying for rich oil magnates and war hawks who profit from pain and destruction.
Afghanistan was once the home to Al Qaeda. However, current reports show that almost all of al Qaeda is now located in Pakistan. No one is denying that al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden were responsible for 9/11. The upper management of Al Qaeda had been noted on their intentions of 9/11. Bin Laden wanted the United States to invade the Middle East because he knew the US would be beaten. Even if we increased troop numbers in Afghanistan we wouldn’t even be able to combat the enemy, seeing how they are in another country entirely.
Unlike Iraq, where there are extensive oil fields, Afghanistan has little to no natural resources. This means that unlike the War in Iraq there is no invested interest in oil in the Afghani conquest. However, ever since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 another substance come into play in Afghanistan. Due to perfect climatic conditions Afghanistan is an ideal place to grow opium poppies. The opium poppies grown there are used to make heroin, which is ending up being sold and used in America. This may actually seem like a viable reason to build a military force in Afghanistan, however this drug crisis was created by the American forces. The Taliban Regime prohibited the growth and distribution of poppies, but when the US dismantled their control, the regulations on the opiate trade ceased as well. The poppies would not have been brought to and sold in the US if we hadn’t invaded in the first place. In addition, under the Taliban, the Afghan people were offered access to hospitals, an education, and the widely rampant drug issue never existed.
War is not necessary to eliminate the terrorist movement. We could settle our differences diplomatically. United States representatives could meet with Taliban/al Qaeda representatives and discuss the issues. This prospect may seem crazy but in the past political enemies have met and had discussions.
Over the years, since our nations founding, our international policy has shifted from isolationism to total imperialism. The Afghan people do not want to be part of the American Empire. Americans are totally different in our culture, government, and our fundamental beliefs. Under the American Empire these people will be oppressed and exploited because of our nations horrible stereotypes and racism. The President will make the important decision whether or not to continue our imperialistic ways later this month.
