Spyderman said:

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Why are/were we over there in the first place?

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Looking for aliens.

traxter said:

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How does everyone feel about all the politicians jumping in to score political points right now?

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**** 'em all.

FWIW, any Texas current/former military resident can file a Request for Confidentiality Under Tax Code 25.025. So when the Taliban lands, they can't look you up to pay you a visit.

etxag02 said:

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OldArmyCT said:

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War 01: Don't pull your troops out when you still have about 15,000 Americans living there.

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We were going to leave 650 troops in Afghanistan to "guard the embassy and airport" after our complete "withdrawal" but then the military collapsed in 11 days and the government fled the country. Americans planned on living and working there afterwards.

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When we abandoned Kandahar (under Biden orders) any sane American should have gotten out asap.

traxter said:

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How does everyone feel about all the politicians jumping in to score political points right now?

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You know, I've been thinking a lot about the public response to this. Specifically about the KIA we had. Can't help but think that if the public cared this much about all the 2000+ deaths we had over there, and all the wounded, that maybe there may have been more political pressure to wrap things up over there sooner.

Not sure why so many people suddenly care. I think it's maybe because they didn't view this as a standard combat operation where death is more of a possibility. Maybe it was seen as more of a humanitarian mission, and seen as more safe. Maybe it was because it was so many in one day (although I don't recall that many people caring when a chinook went down, or other blood days). Maybe they're in shock because it looks like we just lost, and they suddenly care about a 20 year war.

I think the politicians are definitely using this for political gain (if not now, then definitely during the midterms). Perhaps some Americans are parroting what their favorite political party/politician is saying. But I think maybe most are just a little shocked lashing out.

To most, the suicide bombing was just the headline of the week. As I'm sure you've noticed we've already moved on.

IMO We used an unachievable doctrine in Afghanistan which was winning the hearts and minds of the Afghans.

Let me explain further. Setting up a democratic government, building institutions and infrastructure, and fighting the Taliban was predicated upon winning the hearts and minds of the Afghans. We needed them to take the reigns to determine their future, but they did not achieve that. Unfortunately we were a one trick pony and thought the principles of COIN was the answer for 20 years.

Carl Von Clausewitz an 1800s Austrian military theorist said there exists a trinity of war:
- Passion of the people.
- Military acumen.
- Rational government.

If you apply the trinity to Afghanistan then we will notice the people lacked the passion to pursue a free country nor the will to take on the Taliban. The military sucked. The government sucked as well. This analysis shows that a free democratic Afghanistan had no chance. Then we had no chance of winning in that despicable country.