68

We should stay to discomfit Iran and the emergent Shia crescent, if nothing else. Also cramps the Russians’ space and style.

70

reducing troop count is fine 2,000 is a big number.

71

like I said Afghanistan should be the force of NATO at the moment, Syria is a lost cause for any long term western foothold.

74

Focus?

Why? Do you know the history there?

76

Tribal conflict, little road access making central government impossible, If the Taliban retake the country they will once again become a protective shield for international terrorist group targeting the west.

77

According to the press, it is the current number.

78

What has happened to every effort to “focus” on it?

79

failed but then again it comes down to what your philosophy on combating terrorism is, do you attack the nest or simply kill the bird after it bites you.

80

Can you provide some source for this please?

85

Ah, thinking strategically! Well done.

Is the risk worth the gain?

86

You think you’re going to get a long term western foothold in A-stan?

There’s your lost cause.

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87

so what do you think should we forces on killing terrorism or simply force on killing terrorists.

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88

so should we simply allow terrorism to run free in the country till it attack us then kill a few of them and start over?

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91

Do we have a choice?

93

I don’t mean to be rude, I honestly don’t understand your question. Are you asking about focus?

How do you kill terrorism?

94

We have been attacking the nest in A-stan for 17 years. What have we achieved?

95

Excellent question, as that is THE question. I think it is, but my assessment of the risk may be less dire than yours or others’. I do not see “nuclear war with Russia” as a viable risk. I see “18 American troops killed in 2019” as the risk. I think our ability to poke Iran in the eye whenever we damn well please in their back yard is pretty damn valuable.

All of this is my armchair realpolitik take, by the way. I have no actual strategic military experience. Zip. Nada. There are likely considerations I am overlooking. I’m just a guy looking at a big map rubbing his chin.

96

counter insurgency.

Taliban controlled Afghanistan would be a safe haven for terrorism, do we waste the resources to stop that from happening or simply allow it and bomb them every-time a group like ISIS, AQ, etc pop up?

97

not much.

10 chars.

98

Really it comes down to what you think the fundamental ideology of the war on terrorism should be.