Liberals stand with Afghanistan - America Has an Ethical Obligation to Afghanistan

For liberals, Afghanistan was always the “good war.” Until, quite suddenly, it wasn’t. -- America’s relationship with Afghanistan began long before Sept. 11. After the Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan in 1979, the U.S. poured guns and money into the hands of the country’s most dangerous and fanatical leaders. When the U.S. withdrew its support of the mujahedeen, these warlords turned on one another and tore the country apart.

In 2002, President George W. Bush promised Afghans a Marshall Plan, but his administration tried to stabilize Afghanistan on the cheap. When the Taliban were still on the ropes early in the mission, Afghans were provided only $57 per person in foreign assistance, compared with $679 in Bosnia and $206 in Iraq. Even more disastrous, we neglected to provide the requisite number of ground troops, forcing U.S. and NATO commanders to rely on airstrikes; the resulting civilian casualties further distanced the population from the Afghan government. ....More, - Liberals stand with Afghanistan - Joshua Gross - POLITICO

Another emergency in Afghanistan, another Kerry visit
Madam Secretary FOREIGN POLICY