US withdrawal in Afghanistan

[rdhingra]

President Barack Obama's announcement last week of a transfer of power to Afghani security forces by 2014 has been met with mixed responses. While members of the government including Hamid Karzai have approved the plan, much of the population in eastern provinces,bordering Pakistan, have expressed reservations. In addition, yesterday's attack on the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul has raised serious questions about the ability of the security forces to maintain the gains made by the U.S and NATO.
What do you guys think? Is it really time for foreign forces to withdraw? Could a repeat of the period after 2003 be imminent?

Check out the link below for more info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/30/wo...nted=2&_r=1&hp

[Johanna]

This is a very interesting article. The reaction of the Afghan police, according to the public, was very poor. Unfortunately this is not very reassuring to a country that has been torn apart by militant groups. I understand the reservations that Afghani's may have to the US and NATO pulling troops out of Afghanistan. Yet it is important to realize that attacks like this are still occurring even with US and Nato troops in Afghanistan. Therefore it will be a major test on the Afghan troops to see if they will be able to maintain the and increase the level of peace without allowing a repeat of 2003.

[mdegenova]

The article's portrayal of the Afghan police response does pose an important question about the ability of the Afghan security forces to protect its citizens. Though I can recognize the people 's concern over the Afghan security force's capability, I still think the decision to pull out is the right one. Like Johanna said, these attacks are occurring even with the presence of the American troops and NATO, and it is hard to know whether or not they will continue in their absence in the long run. While it may seem that the Taliban is waiting for the moment to unleash their attacks, I question whether these will really continue in the long run- whether these attacks are simply the result of the short-term excitement and anticipation.

That being said, I believe it is crucial that American forces and NATO work with Afghan security forces to better enable them to defend their citizens effectively and to bring about sustainable peaceful solutions. It is important that they work closely with those in charge to develop strategies that will allow them to effectively defend against the Taliban and reach peace for the country.

[aemeyer14]

I agree. It is a very tricky situation because it is very important to Americans that troops come home safe and do not have to be in a war zone anymore, but it is also important for Americans that the Taliban do not have the capability to run Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan really need to come together and create an identity for themselves and perhaps even have an Arab Spring themselves, but how can you do that when your country has been as war for so long and the idea of freedom probably seems so unattainable. The best thing for Afghanistan is for strong Afghani leaders to rise and leader their country towards a better future and if other countries can help facilitate that I think it is important.

[aemeyer14]

Depsite all the other issues surrounding the war in Afghanistan, situations like these will not help any party included find peace in the near future. Protests against US actions, even if their actions were inadvertent, are only going to slow down peace or send supporters over to the Taliban. It seems to me that after being there for so long, US troops should know better than to destroy the Koran or at least know the effect that may have on the Afghani people.

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17123464