Editor’s Note – Should Obama Increase or Decrease American Troops?
Posted on 25 April 2009 by NPopal
By Nahid Popal
First and foremost, welcome to the AUAF Free Press. Everyone on the newspaper committee has put in a lot of hard work and sweat to make this dream come alive. As the editor-in-chief, I decided it would be a good idea to write a “thought-provoking” or a “debatable” topic every week for my editorial.
Photo by Jamil Danish
Last Tuesday, my English class was presented with a very interesting topic: We had to write a letter to President Obama asking him to either increase or decrease the amount of troops in Afghanistan.
I had no idea which side to choose.
I decided to ask some students around campus what they thought on the topic. Here is what they came up with:
Reasons students wanted to increase troops:
- With the elections coming up, we need more security to ensure the safety of Afghan citizens.
- The Taliban still control some major areas in Afghanistan, bringing in more troops could help get rid of them faster.
- If more troops come then the strategy should change; they should send them to the border, which could help solve many of the security issues this country has.
Reasons students wanted to decrease troops:
- Many innocent lives have been taken by International troops. Troops have opened fire on villages that were not housing Taliban or any other criminals. Innocent women and children have been killed because of this.
- The troops should decrease because we need to learn to be independent. We can not call other countries to help us every time we get in trouble. Instead of bringing in more troops, our OWN police/army should be trained so they can handle the situation by themselves next time.
- America has come to Afghanistan with their own hidden agenda, the sooner they get out, the sooner we can fix our country’s problem.
I’m interested in what everyone else thinks about this topic. We hope to make this interactive, but in order to do that we require comments from our readers.
Though I value my fellows’ responses regarding the increase/decrease in number of US troops in Afghanistan but I strongly DISAGREE with the surge in US troops. An increase in US troops means an increase in civilians casualties. On the other hand, we should ask why is the number of our own Afghan security forces is not increased? The money spent on one US soldier will be enough to more than 10 Afghan security forces. Furthermore, we all know the reality that Afghans (I am not talking about those only in Kabul) in provinces do not feel comfortable seeing a foreign soldier, whoever he/she is American or European, searching them or their houses. To conclude, the increase in the number of US troops means an increase in the number of civilian casualties. Afghan forces should be supported and be given the lead in every operation in the country. Seizing the opportunity, I would also like to tell the International Community and some of my fellow Afghans, that we should not focus only on Kabul. Kabul only does not represent the whole country. Many people see the improvements in Kabul as an improvement in the entire country. More comments to come in other article.
N Rahmani
Hi guys, I’m a foreigner who has always been visiting this website and I could no longer keep myself from expressing my views here. I’m just very interested in afghanistan and would like to visit someday. I hope that it will be alright for me, a foreigner, to give my opinions here.
At any rate, as for the issue raised here…if you guys would allow me to post my opinions here, I think an increase in american troops would be favorable for the country since after all, the current situation in the south and east is stalemate.
Neither the Isaf/US forces and the Taliban can dislodge the other in terms of control of land area. Of course, an increase of US forces may not automatically dislodge the taliban but it just might work. It is this hope that the Americans are putting their faith on. The hope that an increase of troop numbers will finally break the stalemate and enable the US forces to stabilize a broader range of afghan territory and when more areas are now stabilized, then it would now be possible to deliver basic services.
On the other hand, should the troop number be the same, the stalemate will remain or even perhaps, the taliban will get stronger and because of shortage of troops, there will be an increased reliance on more airstrikes – and this, we all know, causes more civilian casualties. But with more troops, perhaps, the number of airstrikes will be limited because at least now, more areas will be under to control of US Forces and therefore, more areas will not be included in the target list of air strikes.
Well, my opinion might be a flawed opinion, i don’t know if what I said here is correct or not but whatever criticisms of my comment here will be, i welcome them.
Well it is a debatable topic and very hard to choose the comments. Comments are different some says that the troops should increase in Afghanistan, and some says that our Army/police trained and cover by their own. I think it would be better to say let Obama has don srategies, because now we all know that our country is not controling by our government. So if Obama planed to increase troops in Afghanistan, perhaps he will have more other good strategies for Afghanistan.
Well done Nahid nice opinion
Very controversial topic i must say, and honestly Nahid your writing amazingly sheds light perfectly on this topic and avoids the muddied waters other writers tend to adopt… good job!!!
Defintely disagree.
it will not increase peace in Afghanistan but the rate of the death of innocent civilians.
Mashallah, this is interesting to see very thaoughtful comments on the very important issue. This makes me to not lose hope.
What I belives is that, the issue of security and stability is not directly tide to increasing or decreasing the US forces. What is important is that we should have a good strategy that the ideas of Afghans are well incorporated within that.
It is really difficult to fight in Afghanistan with enemy which knows every corner of the country … I dont want to go in details about this, everybody knows this.
And frankly, I am not in favor of more troops, if you compare the cost of one Afghan national Army and one US army soldier, it is like a huge difference.
More practical is to have more ANA and ANP trained and hired. In addition, economic development and livelihood alternative are higly recommended.
This is a very debatable topic as seen in the comments. Everyone is making a good point and it’s very hard to choose. I think that there should be more for election time, and insha’allah after the elections, finish the job they were meant to finish. And training our own army/police has never been a more rational thing to do. We are Afghanistan, we have to stand on our own feet.
- Omar
p.s. Again Nahid, you are an amazing writer. I hope to see more.
I agree.
If force and money could help rule a place, then mighty empires would not have fallen. You may kill ten taliban soldiers, maybe another 10 would reappear.
Obviously, more needs to be done to take people’s mind away from terrorising the world and trying and imposing their view of the world. There are a number of weapons to fight terrorism — education, equality foe people, economic development, respect for people, etc. Ultimately, the people in Afghanistan need to find their own destiny and need do the right things.
Also anybody who is supporting terrorists (in whatever garb and for whatever cause) needs to be socially isolated. So if Saudi Arabia recognises Taliban, Musharrf supports Kashimiri Terorists, etc. all such people need to be ostracised by the world. If the world will compromise with values, terrorism will haunt us.
First off, Ms. Popal, good job with your work on this website.
On to the subject of discussion, I would have to agree with a point from your for and against points mentioned. I agree that the U.S. should increase the amount of troops to decrease the amount of Taliban control in the country. I also agree though that there should be some major training for the local forces of Afghanistan. I don’t understand why troops cannot be increased while also helping to train the local forces. So I think an increase of troops from the U.S. to Afghanistan should be the path to go.
Food for thought…
If the country does fall back to the Taliban, would the new rule be the same as it was years ago? Where women were publically beaten and men; forced to pray 10 times a day. I fancy I am betting safe when I say that this time around we will see a more moderate Taliban, which is willing to compromise. Remember gentlemen, Taliban were not resisted by one and all, instead, they were welcomed by 80% of the nation. But his time around Afghanistan is ready by learning the expression from President Bush I presume, which goes like, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”
I am supportive of the US increasing troops for the short term, but possibily because of my the weak eyesight, I don’t see that being a long term solution to the problem. Mark my words and let the keyboard of my computer, to the words that the Government & the IC will ultimately have to let the Taliban in, be witness.
Hungry anymore…
i hardly disagree with people who think that the troops in afg should increase because with that happening the country will lack intependency even worse then that there was several attacks on targets that were thought related to taliban but ended up being civilians home so these are the reasons why i personally think that the troops should decrease and yoo nahid
In my opinion the number of troops has very little true relevance to what is important for this country’s healthy growth (some people may feel “healthy growth” is subject to interpretation). Since The US occupation of Afghanistan there have been countless innocent deaths…oh maybe not so “countless” http://www.unknownnews.net/casualties.html#methodology (those are conservative numbers). However the Taliban wasn’t exactly mickey mouse rule either. I understand the options are decrease troops and risk countrywide destabilization, or increase troops and maintain a high chance of drama free elections at the price of digging deeper into the depths of economic slavery/imperialism. Well if I had to choose between the two I’d choose to increase troops. As much as I despise the US/International “power class” and their hidden agenda, I see absolutely no light at the end of the tunnel in any shape or form, if the country were to fall back into the hands of the Taliban(or any other extremist regime). The best weapon against all of this is free unbiased critical thinking, and an open mind to all new information. Regardless of whether or not it challenges your established belief systems.
“Religion serves as a Barrier Between Man and Nature, and offers an outdated closed world view.”
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
http://thezeitgeistmovement.com/
-Arya
wow james, thats a pretty smart comment coming from you
LOL no offense…haha jk jk its all sisterly love here
anywho, i totally agree with what you said. our major problem here is that we change the plan weekly. we are great at making laws in this country, but we never enforce them.
The question is not whether to increase or decrease troops, but rather to stick with one plan and finish it. This is very similar to the vietnam war, and the fact that we are having trouble establishing a plan. The difference between this war and the vietnam war is that we are helping with the government system a lot more. I say that if this war were to improve anywhere it should be sticking to a plan.. something!.. Providing troops little by little will only neutralize what is happening and progression will be minimal. My opinion on the subject matter? To stick with a plan(Preferrably all in and taking care of this ASAP).
That’s a ggood idea to increase the troops. ESPECIALLy becasue of security concerns for election.
Naweed,
Too many changes too often lead people into believing that no change is taking place as everything is taken for granted. A sincere third party analysis would definitely suggest that Afghanistan has come a long way since 2001. Where in 2001, people of Afghanistan were compared to the barbarians of the Byzantine, they are now given the due respect by most. On top of that, sanity really has prevailed amongst the people themselves as they now try to deal with an issue with not with daggers and guns but with soft words.
Let’s just see how much progress have or haven’t we made?
And If I may:
A hemm…
Army 2001 “0″ 2009 “86,000″ and Increasing
ANP 2001 “0″ 2009 “100,000 +” and Increasing
Infrastructure: Major raods built connecting almost all major cities of Afghanistan
Telecommunication: More than $ 1bn invested; Major companies still competing hard for the market.
At the time of the Taliban and before, people used to travel all the way from Qandahar to Kabul paying AFG 340 as their taxi fair to make a call that cost them AFG 10. Now they can do it from anywhere.
Electricity… Increase in the National GDP and GNP… JOBS… Education… Information…and the list goes on…
Yes, some or most of these institutions are maligned with corrupt officials but that doesn’t mean we haven’t progressed. We have progressed and have done it with the utmost support of the international community.
If all these are not good enough for me and you, then I guess you and I have enormous appetites that definitely need to be cut down on.
Increased troops may not be the solution to the Afghan problem, but is definitely a step forward in the direction. American army is here and it doesn’t matter how many, however the larger the number, the more opportunities for the Afghan government to make use of the situation. However, I think the current government does not have the capacity to do so.
Hey Kakail, I liked your answers a lot. It is my opinion that the sooner they get out, the better Afghanistan will be. I haven’t seen the troops do anything positive in Afghanistan. What has changed?? Nothing.
On the other hand, Afghan government has to realize its frailties and work seriously to eradicate them. You can’t expect the International Forces to be here for eternity.
Thanks npopal…
Wow, I’ve got to say…I’m impressed with Kakail’s answer. That’s a real alternative take on the whole situation. I think he might have persuaded me, hmmm.
Bearing in the mind what the increase of troops in this country would do to Afghanistan as a nation, I still am supportive of the notion. Primarily, for only one reason. I believe, at present, the country finds itself between the devil and the deep sea. On one side where it has beeen arduously struggling to keep the Taliban at bay, on the other it is also trying to cope with the methods that are undertaken to do so. 8 years of fighting has lead to both sides seriously considering finding alternatives then to going bang bang at each other. By increasing the troops, plus the fact that people are tired of fighting and the Taliban finding it harder and harder, the government definitely holds an advantage here.
It is very clear now that this may possibly be the last straw or the darkest hour before the dawn of the new era. The figure of 17,000 will definitely give the Afghan government a psychological advantage, if not anything else.
Dear Nahid jan,
I think troops must be increased.
By the way i love your writing.
I belive there should be increase in the amount of troops.
I agree that we can not call upon international communities to help us out but are we really prepared to face those problems?
I agree ‘we should be independent”,but keep in mind that independece is a very deep term.
Yes! our own army/police should be trained too but I belive that international troops should be sent to the borders and our national army/polics should be assigned and responsible in the cities and villages. I belive taht International troops should stay in Afg for 7-10 more years.
I totally agree with increasing troops.