As the President ponders what to do in Afghanistan I still do not understand what our mission is in that country. I asked this several weeks ago. The mission statement is the most important, central purpose of every effort. No organization functions without a clear and coherent mission statement. In military operations defining the mission is the core of what they do. No military mission can be achieved without clear knowledge of the specific mission. Strategy cannot be developed and engaged without knowing the mission it supports.
What is our mission in Afghanistan? In 2001 it was penalizing the Taliban, overthrowing them from power and destroying Al Qaeda. The terrorists are no longer in the central Asian country, they have moved to Pakistan. We overthrew the Taliban and instituted a corrupt puppet government under Hamad Karzai. He stole an election so brazenly the only legitimate opponent dropped out in protest last week. The Kabul regime has no legitimacy in the eyes of the people or the world.
For what are we asking our armed forces to fight and die? We profess to believe in self determination yet deny it to the Afghans. Why are we looting our treasure? George W. Bush doomed us to failure when he went into Iraq instead. The original mission is long gone and no new mission is clear. Obama must articulate this clearly before he decides on strategy and whether to commit more troops. Afghanistan cannot be pacified by any outside power or occupier. No numbers of troops exist to control this vast mountainous area. The ghost of Vietnam hangs over Afghanistan. The generals will also ask for more men and more bodies will continue going to the morgue at Dover Air Force Base. Why?
