Rules of Engagement-are we unnecessarily putting our troops in harm's way

[DuneAHH]

I know about 10% of them are Taliban and the rest are locals who have joined them for personal reasons - like a dead relative.

They plan to wait us out (the US has the watches, the Taliban have the time) - and in the meantime those who have the means are preparing to leave so they do not have to live under a new Taliban regime.

Yep. Every species has to make their own change-or-adapt decisions for survival (or not). Sharks & cockroaches followed one path... do-do birds another.

 

[Geo]

I've always wondered about how the Taliban is supplied, with arms, as well as food, and other supplies. I suspect that a great deal of the population of Afghan supports the Taliban, either out of fear, or simply the fact that they view the Taliban as the lesser of two evils (the US armed forces occupying their country being the worse of the two evils). They (the general population) probably feel they can deal with the Taliban better than they can deal with the US Army. We already have a history of deserting them.

Have you ever seen Charlie Wilson's war?
My guess is that it is just like that except we are playing the part of the Soviets and Islamic states are playing the part of the US helping to defeat the evil superpower occupiers.

 

[Andy A]

[QUOTE=DuneAHH;

Rewriting or modifying long outdated "rules of engagement" is like slapping fresh bandaids on a dead thing in hopes of bringing it back to life.
Somehow, either you don't get it or I am not making myself clear. American lives are being lost because our combatants cannot respond as they have been trained to respond. Outdated "rules of engagement" left in place uselessly kill our troops regardless of whether they are volunteers or not. They realize when they sign up they may be giving up their lives but they are under the impression they will be given a fighting chance to preserve them. Whether we stay or leave, our fighting men deserve the support, when in armed conflict, they are entitled to receive. Part of the problem in this nation right now is, "It doesn't affect me so let someone else do it." And yes, at my stage of life I am guilty of such an attitude. That was not always the case, however, and I am saddened and ashamed to see it so prevalent in so many younger than me.

 

[futurebeachbum]

I've always wondered about how the Taliban is supplied, with arms, as well as food, and other supplies. I suspect that a great deal of the population of Afghan supports the Taliban, either out of fear, or simply the fact that they view the Taliban as the lesser of two evils (the US armed forces occupying their country being the worse of the two evils). They (the general population) probably feel they can deal with the Taliban better than they can deal with the US Army. We already have a history of deserting them.

I think it is far more likely that the Taliban's funds are coming from a mix of drug money and funds from Saudi. (Iran is a possibility too, but I'd think its more likely to be Saudi money.)

The locals don't have the money to help them with arms or medical supplies.

 

[LuciferSam]

Somehow, either you don't get it or I am not making myself clear. American lives are being lost because our combatants cannot respond as they have been trained to respond. Outdated "rules of engagement" left in place uselessly kill our troops regardless of whether they are volunteers or not. They realize when they sign up they may be giving up their lives but they are under the impression they will be given a fighting chance to preserve them. Whether we stay or leave, our fighting men deserve the support, when in armed conflict, they are entitled to receive. Part of the problem in this nation right now is, "It doesn't affect me so let someone else do it." And yes, at my stage of life I am guilty of such an attitude. That was not always the case, however, and I am saddened and ashamed to see it so prevalent in so many younger than me.

I believe DuneAHH is saying that the absurdity is the fact that we are engaged in these protracted stalemates in the first place, never mind the rules of engagement. Well, if she's not saying that, then I am. Don't get me wrong, after 9/11 I could see the wisdom of bombing the crap out of parts of Afghanistan and taking out the Taliban. Then we should have gotten out, regrouped, and beefed up domestic security (as we did). I think the problem is that many, many Americans Republican and Democrat wanted us to "run the table" so to speak militarily. I think they were motivated by anger, fear, and the exhiliration that some people get from decimating a society different from their own.

 

[scooterbug44]

I can't speak for everyone, but I hate the Taliban and what they do. It isn't a military industrial complex or "we win" issue, it's a matter of what is good for the people of Afghanistan, the Middle East, and the world.

They destroy history (I'm still pissed about the Buddhas) and knowledge, they breed hatred, and they subjugate more than 50% of a country's population.

 

[sarawind]

The Taliban hate us too, If or when they get the opportunity to kill some of us, they don't care if you are young or old, black or white, male or female, republican or democrat. They don't fight fair.

Whether you "approve" of the war or not doesn't matter. We are there and our countrymen fighting deserve a fighting chance.

 

[DuneAHH]

I believe DuneAHH is saying that the absurdity is the fact that we are engaged in these protracted stalemates in the first place, never mind the rules of engagement. Well, if she's not saying that, then I am. Don't get me wrong, after 9/11 I could see the wisdom of bombing the crap out of parts of Afghanistan and taking out the Taliban. Then we should have gotten out, regrouped, and beefed up domestic security (as we did). I think the problem is that many, many Americans Republican and Democrat wanted us to "run the table" so to speak militarily. I think they were motivated by anger, fear, and the exhiliration that some people get from decimating a society different from their own.

Yes, that IS what I'm saying. As elders, we should NOT continue to perpetuate that which places (or deserts) young Americans in untenable situations.

It would be erroneous to assume that I disrespect our American armed forces.