Reaping What We Sow

[Spectrum]

I read that the concept of Jihad had been extinct since the tenth century. It was revived in 1979 by the CIA to motivate the Afgani warriors to fight the occupying forces of the Russians. It worked. After 10 brutal years the Russians withdrew. Afganistan was left with a legacy of American weapons and trained religous zealot warriors, including Osama Bin Laden. The 90s were marked by civil war until the Taliban achieved enough victories to declare themsleves in charge. Even in the last week, the defeated opposition forces have staged guerilla attacks on Taliban military sites. This is a country with no easy answers compliments of USA.

[E. Blackadder]

let's assume that the CIA was able to influence Islam at that level, then it should be an easy task for the CIA to do that again, and we will all live in peace and harmony.

But I find your reading absurd. I may be wrong, but I'm not uncertain. If you could provide a link, that would be helpful.

The Afghans would have had a terrible time under the Soviets. At least when we armed them, we gave them the chance for self-determination and peace. They chose not.

Too bad.

[Anonymous]

we only gave them 3 billion in arms, most of the money came from the Saudis

[Anonymous]

http://www.afghan-info.com/Afghistory.htm

[Guerilla poster]

If we created Frankenstein, we must kill Frankenstein.

[JMO]

And if we create Jean Valjean, what do we do about him? (Victor Hugo fans know what I mean.)

[Anonymous]

JMO, I guess it's been too long since I read Les Miserables. I recall Jean Valjean as a man put in an impossible situation--jailed for stealing bread to feed a hungry child. Is this what you mean? The U.S. drives someone to vengeance?

I recall the Battle of Waterloo, the tour of the sewers, and the defense of the barricades. I don't recall Valjean advocating or organizing the fire-bombing of the Bourse, or laying waste to the financial centre of Paris, or attacking military installations.

Could you please clarify?