They say it’s been 20 years and 2 trillion spent so it’s time to go. Yet it’s been 76 years and we still have troops in Germany (35,000) and Japan (55,000) and there are no issues there actually requiring a US military presence, unlike Afghanistan. Wtf?!?
I am 60 and some things are not clear to me. We treat Cuba as an enemy today but not Vietnam. Both are non-Democratic. Cuban refugees have special treatment to this day compared to immigrants that float up to our shores from any other country on a boat. It is as if there is a voting block in Florida that has out-sized influence.
We spend 20 years in Afghanistan to attempt to stabilize the Middle East yet Africa has destabilized zones the entire time and we are not sending in 1000s or troops and trying to nation-build. It is as if the Saudis have out-sized influence.
We have troops in Germany, Japan and South Korea though there is minimal disruption of our efforts by citizens of those countries.
The majority of the Middle East does not want us "saving" them. When someone shows you who they are, you should listen. Lebanon told us. Iran told us. Iraq told us. Afghanistan told us. Iran hates Saudis so most events are proxy. Many of the neighbors hate Israel.
I do not think Africa has many counties wanting us to save them. Nor Mexico. Nor Central America. Nor South America.
South Korea and Taiwan seem to embrace our efforts or maybe they tolerate our efforts.
China is not sending troops into countries. They are building islands to expand their footprint further into the ocean. They are making "loans" to build railroad networks and improve harbors that will lead to forfeiture of assets in other countries. They are leasing blocks of agriculture land. They are buying food processors. This strategy appears to be bearing fruit without using a tank nor sacrificing their youth on foreign soil.
Russia is invading and setting up proxy governments within prior USSR countries. When Putin is gone, likely will be another collapse as Puitin rules with an iron fist to control all aspects of Russia.
Perhaps America should consider embracing the Chinese policy of how to "invade" and leave the policing actions and stabilizing and nation-building to someone else. Again, Africa has been allowed to burn so maybe is best to let the Middle East burn. We fail to stabilize other countries after we blow up a lot of stuff while acting like the big brother who knows best.
I thank all the military that tried to do a good thing. This failure is not on your shoulders. You answered the call. You have my full respect. Peace be with you.
