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Afghanistan: the Next Vietnam?

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 1, 2009 5:49 PM CST
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(Newser) – Afghanistan may not be Barack Obama's Vietnam—it may be worse, John Barry and Evan Thomas write in Newsweek. The president plans to double US troops there to 60,000, hoping Gen. David Patraeus can recreate "surge" success and train an Afghan army to stabilize the country. But many Afghans, weary of US occupation, consider America the problem, and are unwilling to start blood feuds with a Taliban well-funded by the heroin trade.

As in Vietnam, US Special Forces have failed to secure borders where supplies flow in. And like Southeast Asia, neighbors play a role: Iran may be supplying IEDs, and Pakistan prefers a weak, chaotic Afghanistan. The US could simply leave, and strike a deal with the Taliban to keep al-Qaeda out—but that could easily collapse. "Some problems do not have a solution, or any good solution," Barry and Thomas write.

American soldiers cover a body of an al Qaeda or Taliban fighter who lays near an encampment that was hit by U.S. fire March 17, 2002 in eastern Afghanistan.
American soldiers cover a body of an al Qaeda or Taliban fighter who lays near an encampment that was hit by U.S. fire March 17, 2002 in eastern Afghanistan.   (Getty Images)
In the February 9 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands February 2), Obama's Vietnam, Newsweek's Evan Thomas and John Barry lay out the parallels between the wars in Afghanistan and in Vietnam.
In the February 9 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands February 2), "Obama's Vietnam," Newsweek's Evan Thomas and John Barry lay out the parallels between the wars in Afghanistan and in Vietnam.   (PRNewsFoto/NEWSWEEK)
Afghan villagers and U.S. soldiers are seen around a house damaged during the recent U.S. raids in the Tagab Valley village of Inzeri, in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009.
Afghan villagers and U.S. soldiers are seen around a house damaged during the recent U.S. raids in the Tagab Valley village of Inzeri, in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jason Straziuso)
An Afghan boy holds the hand of his father as he attends a rally for the support for Hamas and the people of Gaza after Friday prayers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.
An Afghan boy holds the hand of his father as he attends a rally for the support for Hamas and the people of Gaza after Friday prayers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
An Afghan protester looks on during a rally for the support of Hamas and the people of Gaza after Friday prayers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.
An Afghan protester looks on during a rally for the support of Hamas and the people of Gaza after Friday prayers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
In this July 7, 2008 file photo, an Afghan policeman walks among the dead and wounded bodies at the site of a suicide attack near the Indian Embassy in central Kabul, Afghanistan.
In this July 7, 2008 file photo, an Afghan policeman walks among the dead and wounded bodies at the site of a suicide attack near the Indian Embassy in central Kabul, Afghanistan.   (AP Photos/ Pajhwok News Agency/FILE)
Colleagues mourn over the dead body of Japanese aid worker Kazuya Ito, in coffin, in the governor house in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug 28, 2008.
Colleagues mourn over the dead body of Japanese aid worker Kazuya Ito, in coffin, in the governor house in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
US Army 1LT Matthew Hernandez looks down the Korengal Valley from a mountaintop outpost October 24, 2008 in the Kunar Province of eastern Afghanistan.
US Army 1LT Matthew Hernandez looks down the Korengal Valley from a mountaintop outpost October 24, 2008 in the Kunar Province of eastern Afghanistan.   (Getty Images)
US Army soldiers from the 82nd Airborne move across mountain trails in search of weapons caches during a mission November 13, 2002 in the Kohe Sofi mountain range near Bagram airbase in Afghanistan.
US Army soldiers from the 82nd Airborne move across mountain trails in search of weapons caches during a mission November 13, 2002 in the Kohe Sofi mountain range near Bagram airbase in Afghanistan.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
justme
Feb 3, 2009 6:51 AM CST
Iraq a lost cause? Obviously, you guys haven't paid attention since General Petraus was put in charge. Go read the results of the latest elections there. Secular parties gaining ground. More women voting, more women being elected. Violence down to levels lower than when Saddam was in charge. Where are you getting your informstion?
Forderon
Feb 3, 2009 2:20 AM CST
Where are YOU getting your information. Violence can't be down to Saddam levels because there was barely any violence during Saddam's reign since elections were a mere formality to re-elect Saddam anyway. And maybe you read about how Shiites turned thousands of Sunnis away from voting.
Guest
Feb 2, 2009 7:21 PM CST
where were your minds in the first time ?

 
Afghanistan • Taliban • Pakistan • US Army

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