FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev who has "been there, done that" when it comes to Afghanistan says that instead of sending more troops, President Obama should prepare to withdraw U.S. forces. It's advice Mr. Obama may want to consider as he weighs sending up to 40,000 additional troops into that eight year old war.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/09/art.gorbachev.jpg caption="Former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev ."]
You see, the Soviets occupied Afghanistan in 1979. A decade later, they picked up their toys and went home after intense opposition from Afghan fighters, backed by the U.S. and Pakistan.
13,000 Soviet soldiers - and more than a million Afghans - died during those 10 years. At the time that Gorbachev withdrew his forces - he called the occupation of Afghanistan a "bleeding wound."
Gorbachev now says the Soviets talked about sending more troops back then - but decided against it. Instead, he says they chose to work on domestic development in Afghanistan and promoting reconciliation between the various factions in the country.
Gorbachev acknowledges that terrorism can't be ignored... but that the overall emphasis should be on dialogue and ultimately a withdrawal of troops.
Meanwhile President Obama has been holding meetings for over a month now with top military and foreign policy advisers about what to do next in Afghanistan. Maybe some day he'll make up his mind.
Last month was the deadliest in the eight year war for U.S. troops.
Here’s my question to you: Should President Obama heed former Soviet Pres. Gorbachev’s advice on Afghanistan and prepare to withdraw U.S. troops?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Floyd writes:
So Jack, what should we do? Concede Pakistan's nuclear weapons to the Taliban and Bin Laden? There is no doubt if these hostile terrorists ever gain possession of any of these weapons of mass destruction, World War III is just a missile fired at India away. Think of it this way, terrorists are willing to blow themselves to pieces for their ideology and I don't think they would hesitate to blow up an American city to achieve their objectives.
Amy from Indianapolis writes:
The Afghans know that we can punish them for hosting terrorist camps and welcoming terrorists. We need a better strategy for controlling the terrorist threat than just sending more cannon fodder. A cold war with the Afghans might work as well as our cold war against Russia, and it couldn't work worse than the hot war we're currently in.
Kevin writes:
When has the Soviet Union ever had our best interests at heart? How will withdrawal defeat the Taliban and al Qaeda terrorists? How will "rebuilding" be successful without military forces to maintain the peace? How will you live with yourself when the Talban wreak havoc after you pull out and bring Afghanistan back to the dark ages? Oh, I forgot, you're a liberal, easier to pull out and let someone else die at the hands of the Taliban!
Tom writes:
Absolutely! We need to withdraw. If we intend to do away with terrorists, target only them. We have no right to change the world just to fit our model. Protect our friends, if asked, but stay out of other countries internal affairs.
Peggy from Spokane, Washington writes:
Gorbachev listened to us and "tore down that wall." Maybe it should be our turn to listen to him, and get out now! Just sayin', Jack, he knows of what he speaks!