This fate is always destined to happen: as long as there are Salafis with oil money who will bankroll the fundamentalists, and as long as America has military occupations across the Muslim world, organizations like the Taliban will have a compelling draw to potential recruits.
Endless war and occupation is not a workable policy- in fact, it's counter-productive. Would you rather it ended this year, with a Taliban that's stronger than 5 years ago, or in 2026, with a Taliban that's stronger than today? The best time to leave would have been Bush II's first term, and the more presidents we go through who keep it up, the worse it's going to get.
It's an escalation of commitment. You can't keep escalating forever, especially when that means you make the worst people stronger. You have to recognize it and cut your losses.
With any luck, though, China's influence will be less disastrous for Central Asia.
I would say the "best" (with gigantic parentheses) case scenario is making the Taliban negotiate in exchange for the US leaving. At least some conditions can then be set.
This fate is always destined to happen: as long as there are Salafis with oil money who will bankroll the fundamentalists, and as long as America has military occupations across the Muslim world, organizations like the Taliban will have a compelling draw to potential recruits.
Endless war and occupation is not a workable policy- in fact, it's counter-productive. Would you rather it ended this year, with a Taliban that's stronger than 5 years ago, or in 2026, with a Taliban that's stronger than today? The best time to leave would have been Bush II's first term, and the more presidents we go through who keep it up, the worse it's going to get.
It's an escalation of commitment. You can't keep escalating forever, especially when that means you make the worst people stronger. You have to recognize it and cut your losses.
With any luck, though, China's influence will be less disastrous for Central Asia.
I would say the "best" (with gigantic parentheses) case scenario is making the Taliban negotiate in exchange for the US leaving. At least some conditions can then be set.