Topic+11-+Is+it+time+to+leave+Afghanistan?

=Is it Time to Leave Afghanistan?=

America intervened in Afghanistan in 2001 immediately following the 9-11 attacks that were planned by Al Quaida from that country where they were supported in their operations by the then Taliban government. U.S. intervention in partnership with NATO and opposition elements in Afghanistan quickly drove the Taliban from power, and hammered away at Al Quaida in pursuit of its leader Osama Bin Laden. We helped the Afghani people elect a new government, and helped promote that democracy. Then we invaded Iraq and were distracted by the demands of that massive effort from 2003 until 2008. Afghanistan was neglected until Barack Obama took office and following the success of a troop surge in Iraq focused more on winning Afghanistan... where conditions had deteriorated.

We have now withdrawn from Iraq as far as a major military effort is concerned... and have finally dispatched with Bin Laden- however in Afghanistan the Taliban is resurgent, and we have been unable to train an Afghani Army or Police force capable of providing basic security.

Recently mistakes made by American troops have escalated anti American protests and attacks. A few weeks ago American troops were caught burning Korans- the holy book of Islam which is the faith of the vast majority of the Afghani people. This past week, an American soldier went rogue and indivdually massacred 16 Afghani civilians including 9 women and children.

Is it time to leave Afghanistan- or should we remain on course to finish as much of the job of turning security over to a trained Afghan Army and Police so that we can withdraw as scheduled by 2014.

PFC Costa is still on duty in Afghanistan- still on mission.