Quote:
Originally Posted by Starelle
I'm talking about the fact that the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 1996 and was never recognized by the U.N. as the legitimate government of that country.

There was a king in Afghanistan until 1973. The king's cousin staged a coup in 1973 and established a Republic with himself as President. In 1979, the country was invaded by Russia and was at war with them for a decade (which is why people often refer to Afghanistan as Russia's Vietnam).

After Russia left the country, a lot of fighting followed. When the Taliban took control in 1996, they restored order, but many believe that order came at a high price. The issue of women's right in Afghanistan didn't pop up overnight with Taliban control, but it did get worse.

I wasn't saying that we should invade every country that doesn't treat women well. I was pointing out one issue I had heard about in regards to the Taliban before 9/11. Like I said, from what I've read since, it seems like that was an area of the world that needed U.N. attention long before 9/11. The country could have used help rebuilding after the war with Russia. Perhaps more could have been done in 1996 when the Taliban ceased power rather the ignoring the issue of an unrecognized government holding power for 5 years.


After reading books by the first CIA people into the country after 9/11, sent to make allies with the Northern Alliance and other groups and start determining how we were going to insert our military, etc., I am ashamed at how when the Soviets pulled out, we left those we were supporting high and dry, allowing groups like the Taliban to gain power.

I am also ashamed similarly as to after the first Gulf War, we left the Shiites and Kurds high and dry to be slaughtered by Saddam and his loyalists. The whole thing where we allowed them to still fly helicopters which allowed them to annihilate Shiite villages is sickening. I realize Bush Sr. was probably doing the best he could under the geo-political and domestic pressures that existed, but in hindsight it was a major screw up. In fact, a big part of the reasons the Shiites don't trust us now and why it's so easy for the insurgents in Iraq to hide and gain support from other groups is because we screwed and betrayed those we left behind.

It's also why, no matter one's opinion on Iraq, I feel that since we *are* there, pulling out would just make things 10 times worse. We did what we did, agree or disagree, but leaving and letting the country fall into even worse chaos and death and suffering I don't think is the right call. We have a responsibility now and, barring a time machine, can't un-do what is already done.


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