Blog #8 - IMHO #1

I decided to write my opinion piece on the War in Afghanistan and the War in Iraq. These wars have come to be known as the "War on Terror." The Afghanistan war started on October 7, 2001 and is still in progress. The intention was to apprehend the Al Qaeda, specifically Osama Bin Laden. The U.S government believed them to be behind the tragic September 11 attacks. My problem with this matter is how it expanded, and why it is still continuing today.
The reason for going into Afghanistan was legitimate. Every effort possible had to be made to arrest the terrorists behind the attacks. However, in March of 2003, the U.S focused its attention on Iraq. The government claimed that there were ties between Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden, and also that Iraq were in possession of weapons of mass destruction. This was proved incorrect after former U.N representative, Hans Blix, performed a check and found nothing. The U.S still proceeded with the attacks on Baghdad to capture Saddam Hussein. The world sat back and watched as the U.S, along with the coalition, occupied Iraq for near to no reason. To me, it just seemed too easy. Granted, Saddam Hussein was a psychotic dictator. Why is that the U.S's problem? Iraq posed absolutely no threat to U.S national security. What right did the U.S have to invade them and harm innocent people?
The idea of going into Afghanistan was to find Osama Bin Laden amongst others. The U.S government have come no closer to finding him since they set out to look for him nine years ago. Recently, President Barack Obama ordered the deployment of 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Why stay in Afghanistan? To ensure security? What right does the U.S have to make predetermined decisions? Afghanistan is an independent country and should be treated as such. In my opinion, it is unfair and immoral for one country to bully another based on the belief that it is a potential threat to them.


References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Afghanistan_%282001%E2%80%93present%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1945182,00.html

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/Obama_Troops_Afghanistan_strategy_announcement-78273987.html