U.S. troops may stay in Afghanistan until 2024. What's the point?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
U.S. troops may stay in Afghanistan until 2024. That's 10 years later than when the U.S. has said it would hand over security to Kabul.
But the British newspaper "The Daily Telegraph" reports that the two governments are close to signing a deal that would allow thousands of U.S. troops to stay in Afghanistan for the long haul.
What for?
The reason we went into Afghanistan – Osama bin laden – is dead. The U.S. economy is collapsing under a mountain of debt. We are either unable and/or unwilling to fix our own financial problems.
So what exactly is the point of dumping billions of additional dollars, not to mention human treasure, into Afghanistan?
According to The Daily Telegraph, this agreement would allow both military trainers and U.S. special forces and air power to remain in Afghanistan until at least 2024. Top officials for both governments reportedly say they want to sign this pact before December.
No surprise that Afghanistan's neighbors – like Iran and Pakistan – are none too happy about the prospect of American troops staying for at least another decade.
It's also likely the Taliban would reject such a deal. They've said all foreign troops must leave Afghanistan before they'll negotiate with Hamid Karzai's government.
Meanwhile, U.S. troops have already begun withdrawing from Afghanistan to meet the 2014 deadline. Earlier this summer – President Obama announced that the 33,000 additional "surge" forces would be home by next fall... and the 2012 election. Back then, Mr. Obama said that it's time to "focus on nation building here at home."
Once the surge forces withdraw from Afghanistan, that would leave about 70,000 U.S. troops.
Here’s my question to you: U.S. troops may stay in Afghanistan until 2024. What's the point?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 6pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
What should happen to Libya’s Gadhafi if captured?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Another day, another Middle East dictator on the verge of falling. Except no one can find him.
Libyan rebels have control of most of the capital city of Tripoli and they say they have three of Moammar Gadhafi's sons in custody.
But the main prize will be Col. Gadhafi, and it's unclear where exactly he is.
Some believe Gadhafi is hiding in Tripoli, while others think he's fled to a neighboring country like Chad or Algeria. The Pentagon says it believes Gadhafi is still in Libya.
If Gadhafi is captured alive – and that's a big if – the question will be what happens to the man who ruled Libya with an iron fist for more than four decades.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague has warrants for the arrests of Gadhafi and one of his sons, along with his brother-in-law, who also happens to be the head of military intelligence.
But it's yet to be seen if the Libyans will want to hand Gadhafi over to the International Criminal Court or administer their own brand of justice. My money is on the latter.
Look at Egypt: Former President Hosni Mubarak is standing trial for the crimes committed against his own citizens. It’s unusual for an Arab leader to be called to account by his own people.
There are surely millions of Libyans who would like to see Gadhafi brought to justice. Think Saddam Hussein. Since taking power in a 1969 coup, Gadhafi has destroyed any and all opposition, even sending hit squads to shoot down Libyans in exile. He called them "stray dogs."
Gadhafi has also been tied to some of the most notorious terrorist atrocities worldwide before the 9-11 attacks, including the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.
Here’s my question to you: What should happen to Libya's Moammar Gadhafi if he's captured?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
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