Another Strategy for Afghanistan

[kentuck]

Since Afghanistan is one of the poorest and backward countries on earth, their first concerns are in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Food, shelter, and clothing are still needed in that country.

Instead of 20-40,000 troops, we might be better served to distribute truckloads of food across that country. We could have one landing strip in the center of the country and have trucks distribute the food to different corners and locations within that country. Americans would not have to drive the trucks but they would need to be monitored. The people that need the food will need to get it. Like everything else in that country, the food could become a commodity on the black market.

At the same time, this would help our farmers. This would be good for our economy and we would not be getting our troops killed. This seems to me to be a more sound strategy for Afghanistan.

[bigtree]

1. a great deal of what our forces are already doing

. . . is serving as 'security' for the influx of food, supplies and other resources into the country. The members of the violent resistance spend most of their effort working to disrupt the movement of these with roadside bombs and mortar attacks. On the road between Pakistan and Afghanistan it's said to be so littered with thieves that 12-year olds hold up a trucks to rob or take for ransom.

Also, one of the concerns that the SoS and others have voiced is how to assure where it ends up. It's going to be hard, if not impossible, to insure that the goods won't end up a barter for group against group there.

I don't think we're in any position to assume some sort of neutral position in Afghanistan, making any effort we sponsor or enable subject to the same elements of resistance that our military is facing.

[kentuck]

3. I think this is something we could negotiate with the Taliban.

We could even let the Taliban deliver the food. I think we could make this successful if handled correctly?

[bigtree]

7. the Taliban in Afghanistan

is a more loosely associated bunch than we're led to believe. It's province against nearby province, warlord against warlord. I don't think there's any easy solution to reconciling those enough to facilitate the type of distribution network you describe, but I imagine that effort is still subject to the problems and negative influences that have restrained and blocked State from managing aid and assistance so far.

[kentuck]

8. They are very tribal...

but even amongst tribes, they do care if their poorest folks get food or not, in my opinion. There will definitely not be a military solution. We don't have enough troops and we cannot get enough troops to do that.

Also, food and clothing costs much less than a soldier. Or his or her life? It would not be easy but I think it could work.

[abelenkpe]

2. who provides security for the trucks

And pays the bribes necessary to travel on the roads?

It's a nice idea. Far more humane than our current strategy. But the food will be seized by local tribesmen and never go to those most in need.

We need to start withdrawing our troops now. With no announcement. When they are home, declare the war over and use drones and the CIA to monitor any potential threats from the area. We cannot save Afghanistan. We need to provide for our own citizens: health care, food, education, retirement, infrastructure, first.

[kentuck]

4. We have Afghani working with us now.

The Taliban could drive the trucks. So long as it isn't Americans. The Afghani that works with us would be responsible for the bookkeeping on the deliveries of the food.

[abelenkpe]

12. I think you're plan is very sweet

I just don't think it would work. But I could be wrong.

[anonymous171]

5. You do realize that there is a war going on there, right?

The Taliban will not stop until they have regained control of all of Afghanistan. We should just withdraw and call it a day.

[kentuck]

6. We could do that...

Or we could try to help the poorest folks in that country before we left. The transports could take in the food into one central location, and that is all that the American troops would need to defend, and the Afghani could distribute the food. It would also help our farmers.

[JCMach1]

9. A Modest Proposal: Pay them a higher price for their Opium than the Taliban

CIA can then disappear a good bit of it to fund counter-insurgency operation. ummm, the CIA part is :sarcasm:

Taliban are morphing into narco-terrorists... better break out the plan-book for the FARC in Columbia.

[kentuck]

10. A very valid point.

Thanks.

[JCMach1]

11. This is the untold story of the Taliban re-surgence... it is funded by drugs

and the majority of the current Taliban are little more than drug warlords.

Of course, that (in some ways) is worse. I don't know a drug-funded insurgency that has EVER been completely defeated.