Sound Familiar?

The daily report from Foreign Policy (www.foreignpolicy.com) suggests that a newly agreed plan for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan does not have the endorsement of all parties.

A bilateral security agreement was signed, pledging the the United States will remove all troops from Afghanistan by the year 2017.There are currently US 24,000 troops in the country and the plan reportedly has that dropping to 9,800 by the end of this year.

That is three months off folks.

Some officials from both Afghanistan and Pakistan are suggesting that striking a rigid plan may not be the best idea. Quote...

"You can have well-designed plans, but the future is hard to predict and you have to be willing to adjust those plans based on the reality of what's taking place on the ground. The situation in Afghanistan in 2014 is very difficult, and we have been asking our American friends to re-evaluate their plans for leaving Afghanistan so you don't see what has happened in Iraq happen there as well."

We were hearing comments such as these from Iraq and from experienced military and political pulpits domestically. The executive branch forged ahead anyway. Now in Iraq and neighboring Syria we have a uprising of religious rebels that came to strength in the power vacuum. 

I understand that we are sick the middle east and wish that it would go away, but when you are in in the middle of a mess for which you have at least some responsibility, you do not walk away when the result is certainly going to be a return to the condition that got us there in the first place. The condition that got us there in the first place was real, the country was harboring terrorists. Now with the expansion if ISIS-ISIL in the region, is there any doubt that they will regain power in Afghanistan?

I say no.

It is easier to stay than it is to go back, set up permanent bases and plan on being there for 25 years or more. They don't have to be large, but why not, it frankly is probably more strategic than having basis in England.  Taking a prolonged bunker mentality, will, by its permanence increase stability in a country that recognizes itself the need. 

Resist the temptation to cut tail and run.