More news from Afghanistan:
“NATO troops taking charge of security in southern Afghanistan are entering what is quickly becoming a war zone, as the Taliban makes its boldest strides since it was driven from power by the U.S. and its allies in November 2001. Although Afghan government officials in Kandahar insist that “we are taking control on everything, the area has been calm since two months,” residents of the city and its surroundings view things differently. Businesses have closed, and recent intense clashes between Taliban fighters and security forces have created a sense that the political order installed in Kabul after the Taliban’s ouster may itself be about to collapse — under pressure from the resurgent Taliban insurgency and under the weight of its own dependence on local warlords.”
- TIME.com: Where the Taliban Rules (Again)
I pray for Joel’s safety and security, and for you to handle the long period apart. I have always believed that war must be - if it is going to be - fought in a total, absolute fashion. The only reason that there is still any insurgency in either Iraq or Afghanistan is because Coalition forces did not utterly destroy them. Germany did not offer much resistance after peace treaties were signed because there was nothing - and no one - left to resist. I do not like violence and killing, but if we are going to fight a war, we should fight it to win (as in WWII), and therefore we should right now hunt down every would-be insurgent like so many packs of wild dogs and destroy them. Then the people will have a real chance of beneficial, long-term change - and hence a bright future for their children and grandchildren.
Comment by Danny B. — May 16, 2006 @ 9:09 pm