Afghanistan: the war with no winners

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/afghanistan-the-war-with-no-winners-1.1980845
The Irish Times
Afghanistan: the war with no winners
Opinion: More than $100 billion has been spent and thousands have died, yet it remains one of the world’s poorest and most corrupt countries
Eamonn McCann
Oct 30, 2104

...The decision to invade Afghanistan was taken by the Bush administration in a spasm of anger and seethe for revenge following 9/11. The stated aim was to crush al-Qaeda and drive the Taliban out. Later, the war aims were extended to eradication of poppy growing and the emancipation of women.

The achievements have fallen far short of these objectives. Nothing has been accomplished to justify the loss of hundreds of British, thousands of American and tens of thousands of Afghan lives.

The Taliban is not weaker than in 2001. Al-Qaeda has morphed into Islamic State. US officials forecast that this year’s poppy harvest will be the most bountiful in Afghan history. The rights won by women have already been eroded and, to put it inadequately, will not be improved by the return of the Taliban.

More than $100 billion has been expended, more than the total cost – taking account of inflation – of the Marshall Plan to regenerate the whole of western Europe after the second World War.... MORE at link posted above.