So is the war in Afganistan over then?

[sasguru]

Remind me what the goal was there? Its been 10 years now.
Surely the best use of American resources is to support the nascent revolutions in the Arab world, rather than prosecute unwinnable wars?

[stek]

Wasn't Afghanistan originally some sort of British-created war-zone buffer to deter the Russian Empire (pre-Soviet Union) from taking what was rightfully ours - ie India?

And it's been ungovernable since.

[russell]

Remind me what the goal was there? Its been 10 years now.
Surely the best use of American resources is to support the nascent revolutions in the Arab world, rather than prosecute unwinnable wars?

The war was not just about catching Osama, it was about turning Afghanistan into a democratic country which would be less hospitable to terrorists.

[sasguru]

...it was about turning Afghanistan into a democratic country which would be less hospitable to terrorists.

And the evidence that this is, or was, at all possible is, or was, what?

[amcdonald]

It ain't over until Hilary sings

[Old Greg]

Remind me what the goal was there? Its been 10 years now.
Surely the best use of American resources is to support the nascent revolutions in the Arab world, rather than prosecute unwinnable wars?

Takes me back to those giddy optimistic days when it all started.

[Spacecadet]

The war was not just about catching Osama, it was about turning Afghanistan into a democratic country which would be less hospitable to terrorists.

And womans rights, although I think that was shelved

[russell]

And the evidence that this is, or was, at all possible is, or was, what?

Sounded good at the time.

[AtW]

P.S. The Afghans "won" every war. If that's how you define winning.

Well, all invaders either died there or chosen to withdraw - even Alexander the Great failed to win that war.

[PAH]

The real reason the yanks have stuck it out in Afghanistan when it's been apparent Osama was more likely to be in Pakistan, or at least the mountain region seperating the two, is so Obama can strut around the White House like Tony Montana.