Afghanistan remains a pending assignment, same as Osama Bin Laden. The professor's ideas are worth listening to.

AFGHANISTAN AND THE PROFESSOR
“Professor, can Afghanistan be another Vietnam for the United States?” The Professor looked at me and shaking his head vigorously said:
“I sure hope not. I realize that it sounds romantic to conduct a war that we can label as a humanitarian crusade and an undeniable just cause. Osama and the Taliban are legitimate targets. It also carries the attraction of making the president a ‘war president’ and can even allow him a triumphant arrival in Kabul in a taxi, amid flowers, tacos and enchilada or, if available, a carrier landing and a large poster declaring “Job Done!”
I laughed at the Professor’s good humor, knowing that behind such displays there were serious considerations. I insisted:
“I hope so too, but can I not remove from my mind that after the Second World War we became involved in many campaigns that were cleverly engineered by our own Defense and State Departments, the last being the invasion of Iraq. Besides, in this period of crisis, people have been reminded that our entry into the Second World War, helped solve the serious economic crisis that had plagued us since the Great Depression. Some might think that a friendly war at this time might get us out of the present crisis!”
The Professor pointed at the large World Globe and observed:
“The Vietnam analogy is not out of merit. Instead of thick jungles, we might be faced with endless deserts, impenetrable mountain ranges, a myriad sects, tribes and kingdoms ruled by cruel warlords. Such action is certain to attract all the unemployed terrorists in the entire confines of Islam. Keep in mind that our reputation these days has improved a great deal, but there are still too many injuries and bitter memories from the past eight years. Modern etiquette frowns on destroying countries under false pretenses, with or without oil!”
“What would you consider an acceptable strategy?”
The Professor smiled and said:
“Can we change the subject and mix another dry martini? I also have some large Greek olives, meaty and juicy as ripe Florida lemons. And we can open a box of those toasted Italian panini that accept a good coating of Bel Paese!”
I surrounded. An hour or so later, we returned to the library and, once seated, I said:
“Well. . . “
“At this time I think that we have learned enough from our war experiences and that of others. We can not afford another campaign like that conducted in Iraq. We can not support a ten year occupation and war like the Soviet Union had to undergo from 1979 to 1989 in Afghanistan. In my opinion, our immediate actions in Afghanistan should be a surgical operation, preceded by the most intense diplomatic campaign that we can organize. We have to get the UN, our Nato allies and the rest of Islam with us. We need Pakistan closely involved because we will be blasting a few hills in their borders. Osama moves in triangular patterns. Our Strategic Planning services can set up the proper recon and eventually nail the b…d!”
“Why haven’t they done it ?”
“Sloppy war management from the beginning. Then, Petraeus is having a hell of a time trying to rationalize our various commands. A surgical action is a matter of discipline of a few and above all surefire coordination.”
“How about Afghanistan?’
“We can not afford to start again with that ‘regime change’ routine. A country that is divided by numberless tribes, creating wealth from drugs and keeping that wealth from useful ends requires a special social and political menu. We are not obligated to serve it; that is what the UN and the Arab World are for. We have enough on our plate to keep us busy for an entire generation!”
“How about my investments professor?”
“No one advised you to buy Afghanistan mortgage securities!”

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