[lit-ideas] Afghanistan & Al Quaeda
- From: "Lawrence Helm" <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 11:58:38 -0800
One of the most difficult aspects of my investigations has been to determine
the comparative support for Fundamentalist Islam and the consequent
antipathy toward the West. In regard to Afghanistan, someone has been busy
with a poll: http://www.dailybreeze.com/opinion/articles/2228131.html As I
understand it the U.S. announced withdrawal of from 2500 to 4000 some time
in early 2006. These are not huge numbers and I don't know how many of
these forces have been pursuing Al Quaeda operatives.
As to whether Osama bin Laden is in Afghanistan the other night I watched
Peter Bergan on CSPAN talking about his new book The Osama bin Laden I know
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743278917/qid=1138217565/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1
/002-6525733-9504819?s=books
<http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743278917/qid=1138217565/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_
1/002-6525733-9504819?s=books&v=glance&n=283155> &v=glance&n=283155 During
the question and answer period someone asked him where Osama was. Bergan
answered "He is in Pakistan."
As the above poll suggests, Osama would probably be safer in Pakistan than
in Afghanistan. I would like to see a similar poll conducted in Pakistan.
I suspect the numbers would be far different. There is a very large
Islamist presence in Pakistan.
As to why the U.S. is withdrawing from Afghanistan, I suspect the primary
reason is that we have been attempting elaborate military actions with a
volunteer force. I like the idea of a volunteer force because of my
association with the Marine Corps, but I can see that our ability to project
"boots on the ground" is limited with such a force. Since we are stuck with
an all-volunteer force we must become more adept at shifting troops around
and despite what Osama said in his last speech, Afghanistan seems a good
place to reduce troops.
Lawrence
-----Original Message-----
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Judith Evans
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 10:21 AM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Al Quaeda and Suitcase Nukes
This isn't a direct reply to your post, albeit it
bears upon it if we think Al Qaeda remain in
Afghanistan. I believe the US is withdrawing from
Afghanistan, I know the UK has sent more troops there
and will be sending more later, I read, as the head of
a NATO force. Why is the US withdrawing?
--- Lawrence Helm <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Judy Evans, Cardiff
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