I've been kicking this idea around for a few days, and I'd like to know what y'all think about it. Particularly those of you who have served or have visited in Iraq or Afghanistan
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The rebuilding that Haiti needs has almost nothing to do with bricks and mortar. We could pave every road, rebuild every building as strong and fine as anything in the US and it would do almost no long term good. Until the political structure of the country is changed, financial aid and reconstruction money is going to flow into the pockets of the corrupt and the people are going to be left with nothing.
By doing something I am not sure this country, or this administration, is willing to do.
Stay and fight with Afghans who want us there (a substantial majority) against those who don't (a determined minority). Stay and fight, and stay and win. This means the first thing we do is kill a whole lot more Afghans. As many as we have to, for as long as we have to, without remorse. After that, we stay and help our allies rebuild. This means we spend a whole lot more money and time. In the end, perhaps, we get an Afghanistan that isn't 100% horrible. Perhaps.
As it is, we don't have the stomach for it. Which seems a shame. But, there it is. The Afghans get fucked in the ass, in slow motion. If I were in their shoes, I'd envy the Haitians.
Except Afghanistan got screwed up from a Soviet invasion. Not many people would encourage the Russian Federation to try its hand at nation-building there. Since we propped up guys like Papa Doc Duvalier, why are the Haitians going to welcome us with open arms? Especially since their screwed-up political system does not arise entirely from them?
True about Afghanistan. The Soviets took it from a backward but self sufficient country to a heavily armed, post apocolyptic nightmare. Haiti is on its knees. It is out of options. Not that they won't follow the lead of the Palestinians and not miss the opportunity to miss an opportunity.
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Stay and fight with Afghans who want us there (a substantial majority) against those who don't (a determined minority). Stay and fight, and stay and win. This means the first thing we do is kill a whole lot more Afghans. As many as we have to, for as long as we have to, without remorse. After that, we stay and help our allies rebuild. This means we spend a whole lot more money and time. In the end, perhaps, we get an Afghanistan that isn't 100% horrible. Perhaps.
As it is, we don't have the stomach for it. Which seems a shame. But, there it is. The Afghans get fucked in the ass, in slow motion. If I were in their shoes, I'd envy the Haitians.
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