Due diligence

The Oct. 31 letter "Support or leave" questioned President Obama's current review of the proper strategy in Afghanistan. The writer also said that lack of sufficient American military in Vietnam caused us to lose that war. The United States with superior weapons and modern air power, found out the hard way that some wars can't be won militarily.

The Soviet invasion in 1979, which sparked Afghan resistance, initially involved 30,000 troops, which grew to 100,000. Even with far superior weapons and complete air control, they were successfully eluded by the rebels. More than 1 million Afghans died in the war, and 5 million Afghans became refugees in neighboring countries. In addition, 15,000 Soviet soldiers were killed, and 37,000 wounded. The military option didn't work.

Obama is taking the proper time to gather input from the Defense Department, the State Department, the intelligence services and history to come up with a current practical strategy in Afghanistan. In short, he is trying to define a realistic approach that minimizes our troops being in harm's way over the long haul and provides security to our country and the Afghan region in general. He is doing what the 2008 election mandate change requires.

Gary Larson

Raleigh

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