Re: ‘We will win’ in Afghanistan, Trump promises, Aug. 22

‘We will win’ in Afghanistan, Trump promises, Aug. 22

Sorry, U.S. President Donald Trump: The one and only thing you were right on a few years ago was your instinct to withdraw from Afghanistan as a lost cause.

Surely there’s a rule somewhere that Western nations should not fight land wars in Asia and the Middle East: the distances, geography, logistical problems and sheer opposing numbers make any such wars impossible.

The lessons of a stalemate (Korea) and loss (Vietnam) are clear examples of what not to do. Earlier in the 19th century, the British lost an army or two trying to pacify Afghanistan. The USSR had enough good sense to give up further intervention in Afghanistan, even though they shared a border with each other.

Canada and other allies saw the need to pull out. More lives and treasure spent on an impossible cause to save a failed, deeply corrupt, almost medieval state from itself is an essay in futility.

Sam Markou, Mississauga

Proverbially, Donald Trump deserves his dues and a pat on the back for his eloquent and masterful speech Monday.

He was quite clear that pulling out from Afghanistan at this stage of its history will be premature and will only create a vacuum that will allow insurgents to overwhelm the country — as happened in Iraq. The plus point on this decision is the fact that the Afghan government agrees with this arrangement.

Trump has also pointedly identified the countries that are harbouring and giving asylum to terrorist organizations, although a glaring omission is Saudi Arabia and its partners in the Middle East, which must be exposed for the part they play in spreading anarchy globally.

Raza Kara, Richmond Hill

Who is Donald Trump trying to fool? The only way for the United States and the international community to win the war in Afghanistan and elsewhere is to change their strategy.

Bombing poor people hasn’t produced any solution. It has only added fuel to the fire. The best way to win the hearts of people is to feed them. Throw them food instead of bombs.

We also need to stop supporting dictators and those who kill their own. Honest conduct and feeding the poor is the path to long-term victory.

Abubakar N. Kasim, Toronto

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