Stumbling About In the Graveyard of Empires

I am not going to attempt to try and convince anyone that the initial invasion of Iraq or Afghanistan was morally just or even essential to our national security. But it is vital that we defeat the Tailiban, Al Qaeda and other extreme terrorist groups. No one can argue that regional stability is the road to our nation's and the world's safety. If we were to withdraw from Afghanistan the nation would be plunged in chaos as religious terrorist groups fought tribal warlords and foreign nations would manipulate the various factions for their own selfish agenda's. True, Iraq (mostly in the south) has a long way to go back signs of improvement are evident. The infrastructure is being rebuilt, stability and security in the north is pouring much needed oil revenue in the nation and U.S. troops are handing over more and more power to the Iraq government. Nothing short then the complete destruction of the Tailiban and Al Qaeda can be accepted in Afghanistan, what the cost. If the Taliban regains power in Afghanistan not only will the Afghan people be subject to barbaric religious laws. But, the war would spill over to Pakistan, which is currently fighting it's own "War on Terror". Several terrorist groups are engaging in a war with the sole purpose of overthrowing the Pakistan government, gaining access to nuclear weapons and to export terrorism across the war. An alliance between Pakistan-based terrorist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Taliban and Al Qaeda not only cross the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan at will but control sections of Pakistan. The Swat valley is a haven for these terrorist groups and pose an extremely dangerous threat to the national security of Pakistan. Withdrawing our troops from Afghanistan and turning our backs on Pakistan would not only directly lead to the destruction of both countries but plunge the world in a war of terror that will consume us all. I also have several issues with this article. The author claims the U.S. Military lacks a clear military plan and mission. This is of course not true, the Marines in the south of Afghanistan are experiencing their objective in eliminating the last few pockets of Taliban militant groups with the help of local tribal militia. Also the U.S. Army is sending the 10th Mountain and 101st Airborne to eastern Afghanistan close to Pakistan's border, with the purpose of the complete destruction of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. If the American public is tired of the U.S Military engaging in what seems endless war after war then the American public must take back control of their government and radically change our foreign policy.

If the terrorist can plot acts from Afghanistan and Pakistan and hurt Americans we need to do something. I know in the 90's Clinton launched 40+ tomahawk missiles to destroy the camps.

The mujaheddin were upset after we supported them in the Soviet Afghan war. So one of their leaders was a rich Saudi son that inherited $400 million from his wealthy father. The son being Osama Bin Laden. Could he potentially buy people or worse, buy a dirty bomb? Or manufacture an agent that might hurt America. Is it worth experiencing another 9/11?

Iraq is a mistake, but Afghanistan is a necessary evil.