If most Afghans want US forces to stay at least another year,

[Vattel]

then is it justified to stay in Afghanistan for at least another year? I'd be interested in what people think about this. I'm inclined to say no, but I have no firm opinion because I am not an expert on the situation in Afghanistan. The most recent poll I'm familiar with (Feb, 2009)suggests that most Afghans want us to say at least another year and almost half want us to stay permanently (3%) or until security is restored (42%).

Feb, 2009 Poll of Afghans: Only 21% wanted US and NATO forces to leave immediately, 16% wanted them to leave within 6-12 months, 14% wanted them to leave within 1-2 years, 42% wanted them to leave only after security is restored, and 3% wanted them to remain permanently (4% had no opinion).

http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1083a1Afghanistan2009.pdf

[sam sarrha]

1. we are probably driving their GNP... the Drug Lords an War Lords are just Parasites,

[rug]

15. Its GDP was $22.32 billion last year.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html

Google what the U.S. military spent there last year.

[Obamanaut]

2. Of course they do. Some of them are making a killing, and a fortune. nt

[Vattel]

8. The vast majority of the poll's participants

are not making a fortune from our presence.

[tabasco]

3. I'd say the Afghan people don't get a vote.

The security of the US is the only factor that should be considered.

[DireStrike]

4. Whether we have the good will of the Afghan people is a security issue. -nt-

[tabasco]

5. Securtiy is a principle of war in military operations.

That is not the same as the security of the U.S.

[Vattel]

6. If the aim is U.S secuirty,

then the argument for staying seems pretty weak. It is certain that many American soldiers will die if we stay, and only a mere possibility that leaving will result in a terrorist attack that kills Americans.

[tabasco]

7. I'm tending to agree with you.

Bush pretty much fucked up any chance of capturing/killing the people who attacked us.

I'm thinking it's better to get out and keep a close eye on the place with satellites, human intel, etc.

The first time some assholes set up a camp - blow that shit up.

[ShortnFiery]

11. "The notion that we are in Afghanistan to keep our country safer is complete bullshit."

MISSION CREEP!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjE2wMWMJwI&feature=player_embedded

The war in Afghanistan is increasing the likelihood that American civilians will be killed in a future terrorist attack. Part six of Rethink Afghanistan brings you three former high-ranking CIA agents on the record to explain why. There is no “victory” to be won in Afghanistan.

[StarfarerBill]

9. I disagree.

I think that the security of all nations should be considered, but only within the context of the United Nations; that is, US forces should go abroad only as part of an overall UN operation.

[L0oniX]

10. Most Afghans don't want US forces to stay. They want us out and I don't blame them.

[Vattel]

12. Evidence please.

Is there a recent poll that supports your claim? The poll I am relying on is a bit dated (Feb 2009); but I haven't seen a more recent one.

[L0oniX]

14. All you have to do is put your self in their seat.

[Luciferous]

13. Nope, we should leave

we are wasting too much money and too many lives on a war we can't win. I feel sorry for the people that have to live there, but there are a lot of people suffering in the United States as well, and we should be dealing with that above anything.