| Subject: IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE>>> |
Author:
Mark
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Date Posted: 00:00:48 11/04/01 Sun
Daily, we are told of some bombs dropped, a couple more cases of anthrax, and pep talk - as though that is all that is happening...
This is not the reports in other news sources around the world.
The Taliban did not just collaspe in a week, nor did we massively retaliate in blind rage(as the world cringed thinking we might).
So the politics comes. Russia has moved 250,000 troops to it's Southern border, sent some equipment and "advisors" - to it's Northern Alliance - just enough to insure a stalemate, while arranging potentially for Indian Hindus troops in Kasmier to be staged to enter Afganistan also - which would send Pakistan into chaotic riots if it supported this.
China also borders Afganistan.
The U.S. reported has moved a "limited number" of tactical nukes into the region, to make everyone a bit cautious - while the US had declined offers of troops, ground equipment and aircraft from Italy, and declined all offers from France and Germany. Notice the UK has stopped it's bombing runs now for a week or more.
Afganistan is not really "a country". It is a collection of chans and tribes whose ancient culture is built around a complex set of primative values around fighting, brokering, double-crossing, in which today's friend is tommorrow's enemy - and visa versa - in which no soldier wears a uniform, personal, clan, tribe, and culture alliances can change hourly depending upon who offers the best deal or the worst threat...
With a death rate by age 18 of nearly 50%, but with no birth control another quarter of a million men reach military age every year - and death in fighting is the most noble and honored way to die. Fathers have their children fighting in village arenas starting around age 8 to see which is tougher - gambling on the outcome.
In this, any army can roll across Afganistan - and nearly all Afganistani's will wave and cheer you - but unless you made a deal to be on their territory - expect sniper bullets, crazy sucide raiders, and other home-town actions to follow as well.
Russian loses were less than half that of the USA in Vietnam, yet 10 years of such a "war" became unbearable. Unless they just mass killed everyone, there was no enemy to beat, no army to defeat and no government to overthrow. Historically, Afganistan has never had a central government.
Point? None of this is as simple as it sounds. Neither what our press is telling us, nor "Bin Ladin's side".
My chaotic entanglement in the region - which "somehow" is producing (again) cheap oil to the West. Go figure.
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