Dear Editor,
Did we really need to be there for so many years and the casualties we sustained? I believe that many who have been in the region, many service and government personnel thought, why are we here? Was Afghanistan and its people a threat to the U.S.? What really was the mission? Twenty years later what did we accomplish? I leave that to you.
I am an older veteran and had spent time in the Middle East and thought from the beginning the country was not ready to accept change until the people have better schools and most get educated. The regional “war lords” would have none of this (education) as they knew they would lose power if the people are educated, and see the outside world.
Heroin production was the major income for the tribal leaders. You would think we would learn things from the past, did we have our eyes closed or think we could do a much better job than the Soviet Union? The Soviets were there nine years from Dec. 1979 to Feb. 1989, had 15,000 killed and 35,000 wounded, and at that time the Afghan Forces were the Majahideen doing the fighting. Now the Taliban, different name, same type of people.
The other question to ponder is how much influence did our defense industry play in having our forces in Afghanistan, billions of dollars were involved. Let me note that I have 100% support for our troops, they did exactly everything they were asked to do and God bless them.
It will take years for change in the Middle East, and the culture which has existed for hundreds of years and the leaders (Taliban) do not want to lose their power and have little value on life. Time, supporting education, and as much exposure to the outside world for the people is the real hope. That alone will not be easy.
Richard Penwarden
Kingman
