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Why we should leave Iraq but cannot leave Afghanistan.
When American forces Invaded Iraq it was a sovereign country with a functioning government. More importantly basic infrastructure such as schools, transportation, and commerce were established. I am not claiming it was a good government structure, just that basic 20th century infrastructure existed. Iraq has electricity, running water, sewer systems and basic government services now. Most of the infrastructure to support a modern society in Iraq is brand new thanks to the $45 Billion US Taxpayers have donated. The Iraqi people have enough education to effectively continue without the US Military. State Department personnel are going to continue supplying training, management, and support to the infant democracy. Iraq will be OK by themselves. There are going to be some rocky times for country of Iraq, but that is part of learning cooperation and compromise.
Afghanistan has not ever had modern infrastructure. Prior to the current government warlords have ruled tribal territories since the Soviet withdrawal in 1989. Post Offices, schools, roads and an entire government structure has to be built. President John F. Kennedy said "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." Education is Afghanistan is deplorable. Kabul University, the only University in the country, was respected Internationally in the 1970’s. Under Taliban rule the University was decimated. Education for women was banned in 1992 under a Taliban decree. Their were no courts when the US military arrived. Village elders, tribal justice and warlord rule were the law of the land. Afghanistan will continue to be a country of desperate, illiterate, hungry people if the US fails to establish a government and infrastructure. That is the formula for terrorism. People whose lives are miserable, do not mind dying.
Iraq can stand on its own and its people have a chance to participate in modern human society. It will not be easy and the new Democracy will struggle along the way. Economic activity is rising in Iraq and providing a standard of living for its citizens. Iraq's oil fields provide a source of income for infrastructure projects and government services. Iraqi society will never be perfect, but neither is the US. Afghanistan is a war torn strip of barren land. It does not have 20th century infrastructure. In order to bring Afghans into civilization the US and its allies have to construct basic infrastructure and teach Afghans to administer it. That is a 20 year project at best. Leaving Afghanistan will result in the same situation or worse than existed prior to 9/11/2001. Military troops might not always be the answer but for now they are the only choice.
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