U.S. generals have been assuring Americans that victory is within reach in Afghanistan since 2002.
The Duffel Blog’s Paul Szoldra pointed out on Twitter Tuesday that “the generals are literally making this up as they go along.”
Gen. John Nicholson, the current US commander in Afghanistan, just told reporters that “we are on our way to a win.”
Yeah, that’s a total lie. The generals are literally making this up as they go along. Come along with me… 1/
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
Gen. Nicholson, 11/28/17: Afghan war has “turned a corner…The momentum is now with the Afghan security forces.” 2/
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
Gen. Nicholson, 11/24/17: “We are still in a stalemate.” 3/
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
Gen. Nicholson, 7/28/16: “I would say overall our mission in Afghanistan is on a positive trajectory.” 4/
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
Gen. Campbell, 12/28/14: “The road before us remains challenging, but we will triumph.” 5/
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
Gen. Dunford, 6/12/2013: “We have made significant progress, but we are not yet at the point where it is completely sustainable.” 6/
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
Gen. Allen, 2/10/2013: “I think we are on the road to winning.” 7/
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
Gen. Petraeus, 7/9/2010: “Progress has been achieved in some critical areas, and we are poised to realize more.” 8/
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
Gen. Abizaid, 2/20/2005: “While there has been a tremendous amount of progress and people are generally very optimistic…we have to still remain vigilant.” 9/
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
Gen. Franks, 8/25/2002: “What a difference 10 months makes in a country like Afghanistan. Taliban’s gone.” 10/
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
16 years, and still no end in sight. Just a once-in-a-while casualty notification to the press, zero strategy or achievable goals, and absolutely no backbone from Congress toward ending this ongoing farce. /end
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) November 28, 2017
President Donald Trump has lamented America’s presence in Afghanistan. “We should leave Afghanistan immediately. No more wasted lives,: Trump tweeted in 2013. “If we have to go back in, we go in hard & quick. Rebuild the US first.”
However, he announced a “conditions based” strategy in August that keeps American troops in Afghanistan indefinitely.