By Stephen Grey,Times Online
A mile from South Station,an outpost of US marines in Helmand province,the tribal chief was openly hostile. “The Americans threaten our economy and take our land for bases. They promise much and deliver nothing,” he said.
“People here regard the American troops as occupiers,” said Haji Khan,a leader of the Baluch tribe,who rules like a medieval baron. “Young people are turning against them and in time will fight them.”
Inside South Station,soldiers are proud of the progress they have made. Until they arrived,this remote part of Helmand had not had a government presence for years. But many are pessimistic about where the conflict is heading.
“I’m not much for this war. I’m not sure it’s worth all those lives lost,” said Sergeant Christian Richardson as we walked across corn fields that will soon be ploughed up to plant a spring crop of opium poppy.
Afghanistan has given itself the title breaker of empires for good reason. They have been beaten but never held. The tribal law system and terrain create an environment that is resistant to central government. They wait for our troops to leave then Taliban will return. GWB lost this war when we invaded Iraq. We needed to follow the advice of Powell.
Now watch Obama undermine McCrystal by dooming the war to failure. He will send in far less than the 40,000 troops needed and then wonder why McCrystal decides to retire.
Please read Matthew Hoh's resignation letter http://bit.ly/J6aWe
Hoh's a former U.S. Marine. The situation in Afghanistan is a total mess after eight years. We have to focus in on the right combat strategy. I'm praying that our new President will do so. He's smart and is working hard with the Pentagon,Defense Department and State Department right now. Let's give him a chance. But read Hoh's letter 'cause it shows this is not a simple problem of just sending in more troops. Meanwhile,I understand the low morale. Let's make this work,men.
i dont think our morale our morale is low. we are trying our best no matter how long it takes