OPINION: Afghanistan Ten Years Later

In 2001 we started a war in Afghanistan – and ten years later we’ve achieved just barely 50% of our military goals in that nation. So says the former top commander in Afghanistan – Retired General Stanley McChrystal.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations – McChrystal blasted the planning and effort that went into the Afghanistan war – now the longest war in American history – saying, “We didn’t know enough and we still don’t know enough. Most of us – me included – had a very superficial understanding of the situation and history, and we had a frighteningly simplistic view of recent history, the last 50 years.” 

McChrystal also said the decision to start a war in Iraq clearly made this situation in Afghanistan more difficult. That’s yet another condemnation of the Bush-Cheney War Crime presidency that our nation is still reeling from.

It’s time to cut our losses – end the wars and bring our men and women back home.