Log in Subscribe
Letter to the Editor

Afghanistan all wrong

Ralph John Savarese
Posted 9/21/21

Parksville

To the editor:

To paraphrase a quote from Shakespeare, much ado about something as there is continuous confusion regarding the recent situation in Afghanistan. Some factual …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
Letter to the Editor

Afghanistan all wrong

Posted

Parksville

To the editor:

To paraphrase a quote from Shakespeare, much ado about something as there is continuous confusion regarding the recent situation in Afghanistan. Some factual points to be noted:

1) Despite what has been stated, the Taliban does not control all of Afghanistan as there is serious resistance fighting occurring in Panjshir Province led by an elite unit of Afghan commandos (00 unit) who did not flee or surrender.

2) There appears to be a problem with semantics regarding this conflict as it has been apparent for some time that this is a “war” that will not be lost or won but rather a conflict where the objectives are to bring about some degree of safety, security, and stabilization to the people of Afghanistan, and for the most part these objectives have been achieved and maintained. (As long as there has been a military presence to serve as means of achieving these objectives.)

As a result, the following has been achieved:

1) More women and children have attended school.

2) Women have achieved more rights and freedom.

3) More individuals have obtained gainful employment.

4) Thirty-two safe homes were established.

5) Family guidance centers and children’s homes have been established and maintained in fourteen provinces.

The advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of Defense, as well as allied commanders was ignored which resulted in the unnecessary loss of the lives of thirteen soldiers as well as many Afghans.

A more concerted effort at a negotiated settlement could have been initiated in January, and if such wasn’t the aim of the Biden Administration, then an organized withdrawal could have been initiated as early as February.

I find it interesting of the silence of national and international women’s rights groups as well as the silence of politicians such as Nancy Pelosi, AOC, and others.

It should also be noted that Senators Schumer and Gillibrand did not speak out until the death of the thirteen armed forces personnel.

What happened next?? Civil War? Involvement of China and/or India??

The respected former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta laments that we will be back there in some capacity.

This didn’t have to happen but it did.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here