Soviet commander: U.S. faces similar fate in Afghanistan
A former commander of Soviet forces in Afghanistan has warned history is being repeated in the war-ravaged country as the United States and its allies become increasingly mired in an “unwinnable war.”
Gen. Victor Yermakov commanded the Soviet Union’s 40th army in Afghanistan from May 1982 to November 1983, one of six commanders to preside over the Soviet task force after its 1979 invasion.
The Kremlin’s bloody nine-year campaign to support the Marxist government in Kabul cost the lives of more than 15,000 troops and brought the Soviet economy to its knees before its 100,000-strong army was forced into a humiliating withdrawal.
…
“But you cannot impose democracy by using force. An Afghan has agreed with you today, at gunpoint, that American democracy is the best thing in the world, just as he was once saying that the Soviet system was the best.“But as soon as you turn around, he’ll shoot you in the back and immediately forget what he was just saying.
…
Asked what difference the latest troop surge will make, the 74-year-old former deputy defense minister says, “I can see only one: Obama will be more often going to the airport to pay his last respects to the [airlifted U.S.] soldiers killed in Afghanistan.“That’s the only difference that I can see, whatever the size of the task force.”
Source/Full Story: CNN.com
Related Items
- September 25, 2009 — Obama: ‘Iran is on notice’ regarding nuclear efforts (0)
President Obama said Friday that “Iran is on notice” regarding its nuclear efforts, and that the international community is united in its opposition t… - September 23, 2009 — At U.N., Obama calls for new era in world relations (0)
Source/Full Story: CNN.com
President Obama made a forceful call Wednesday for a new era in global relations, urging the United Nations to move past … - September 17, 2009 — US to shelve European missile shield (0)
And yesterday we had Nato chief calls for closer ties with Russia The United States is dropping plans for a controversial missile defense shield … - May 6, 2009 — White House plans to release plane flyover report, photo (0)
The White House indicated Wednesday that a report and a photo from the controversial low-altitude New York flyover by a 747 plane used as Air Force On… - March 15, 2009 — Cheney says Obama’s policies ‘raise the risk’ of U.S. terror attack (0)
Former Vice President Dick Cheney on Sunday defended the Bush administration’s economic record, the invasion of Iraq and the treatment …



Feedback