A growing number of Afghans say they have come to see a quick U.S. pullout as the best of bad options, a shift in line with Americans’ growing disapproval of the decade-long war.
The sentiment follows a rampage Sunday allegedly by a U.S. soldier and an attack Tuesday in which an Afghan government delegation visiting the same village came under fire from suspected Taliban fighters.
“When the Americans first came, it was people like me who welcomed them,” said Abdul Jabar, 28, a truck driver from Kandahar. “Now they are killing our women and children.”
Short of handing over the perpetrator to the Afghans so they can string him up, I don’t see how the US can salvage itself and mission in Afghanistan any longer.
And I am not advocating doing that, let me be clear. I just think this is the final straw in a locally unpopular war.
As horrible as this atrocity is, perhaps some good may yet come from it and lives, both theirs and ours, may be saved.
“…and lives, both theirs and ours, may be saved.”
No.
Their religious fanatics will continue to murder wghom they choose to murder.
Any hope for moderation in Afghanistan will will be a vain hope as long as the Taliban and their ilk become and remain dominant in that country.
Afghanistan will be a true “Hell on Earth.”