Well, there is one other teensy weensy difference too, in that all of this took place in the area that they lived in. Once the Soviet foreigners were out, they wanted all the others out too. The thing about America is that most of it's conflicts are fought on foreign soil, all well and good. But when someone says 'hey thanks for your help, we'll take it from here' and you say 'No, we'll stick around thanks. There are some more things here that we're interested in', then it becomes a matter of the home peoples taking action to get rid of you.

'Cheers, now piss off'. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 01-14-2003, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ]

Well, there is one other teensy weensy difference too, in that all of this took place in the area that they lived in. Once the Soviet foreigners were out, they wanted all the others out too. The thing about America is that most of it's conflicts are fought on foreign soil, all well and good. But when someone says 'hey thanks for your help, we'll take it from here' and you say 'No, we'll stick around thanks. There are some more things here that we're interested in', then it becomes a matter of the home peoples taking action to get rid of you.

'Cheers, now piss off'. [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]Can't really disagree with anything here.

<font color=lime>Except that The US wasn't trying to establish a major or even minor presence in Afghanistan. There is nothing there we want or need. We just wanted them to handle the Sov's for us. Our relationship was mutually beneficial...however when the Mujhadene started backing terrorsits and helping Osama, they went from wanting people out of their country to killing and helping to kill people in other countries. </font>

[ 01-15-2003, 08:20 AM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

That's very true, good point. But what is it that the American armed forces were doing in Afghanistan at this time?

That's very true, good point. But what is it that the American armed forces were doing in Afghanistan at this time?</font>[/QUOTE]Eliminating those that had already attacked us. They happened to be in Afghanistan, so that is where we went. Other than a very small contingent hunting for Al'Qaida, we no longer have a presense there.

To get back to the topic:

The problem with the Shi'ites in southern Iraq is that they do not have a standing force of any kind - nor any weapon to arm such a force. So the US can't expect any help if/when the war starts.

[ 01-15-2003, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: Ar-Cunin ]

That's true, you're right.
But I was referring to the 1980's Soviet war in Afghanistan, not the 2001-2 one [img]smile.gif[/img]

In that case, that was one of the many US-Soviet proxy conflicts of the Cold War. I am not as up to speed on that conflict but I believe the US presence then was limited to CIA and small contingents of Spec For to train and supply the Mujahadeen. I could be mistaken....

Back to the topic ... I don't blame the Iraqis. Policy shifted Stateside due to administration change and they got slaughtered in the fallout.