To me, Afghanistan isn't a question. We went there to eliminate the terrorists, and will probably remain there for a long time to come.
Iraq, on the other hand is a different story. The US should have went all the way when Iraq invaded Kuwait. The US did not, and only went in when it did out of the convenience of having the forces close by with nothing to do. Fact of the matter is Iraq was in violation of many many UN treaties, but the UN didn't have the balls to act. The US did. The outcome, or the stalemate rather, that the US is locked in now would have been inevitable no matter when the US went in. The nature of the region presents a very difficult goal, but a goal that must be met if that region is to me made safe from the support of terrorism now, and in the future.
Furthermore, backing out of Iraq, regardless of why or when we went in, would be more costly than remaining there and making a viable attempt at stabilizing the country.
Am I the only one here that fully understand this Terminator quote, and how it eerily defines terrorists today?
Kyle Reese: Listen. And understand. That terminator is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.
There is no option but to fight or die. Terrorists have made it clear that they will get inside our borders and kill many. And they will not stop. Fight them here, or fight them there.
We are less free post 911. true
The US must know more in order to successfully stop further attempts at attacking us.
Less intelligence = more danger of 911 x 1000, which is 911000, and that's scary.
WE CAN'T AFFORD IT OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great...then we will afford the deaths that will result in doing nothing, which will be many.
We have to afford it.
War has happened and will continue to happen forever. I hate war, but recognize its existence. Humans are selfish and destructive. We war, that's what we do.