Afghanistan

Just a query (not intended to cause a rant on our forces over there), but, has any invasion force ever subdued Afghanistan ?

I've just finished reading a damn fine book about Alexander (The Great) trying to do the same, but even he had to settle for something less than total victory

Can't think of any, the Russians gave it a good shot but they had to leave eventually didn't they?

Indeed they did

Even now suit, modern mechanized forces are still in peril when committed to fight guerrillas in the middle of a civil war on rugged terrain, for example
the Afghan-Soviet War was a rare confrontation in history as it helped trigger the collapse of the greatest empire of modern times. Lessons learned from this conflict were gathered by both sides. Whatever else these lessons may show, the most fundamental of them is that no army, however sophisticated, well trained, materially rich, numerically overwhelming and ruthless, can succeed on the battlefield if it is not psychologically fit and motivated for the fight. The force, however destitute in material advantages and numbers, which can rely on the moral qualities of a strong faith, stubborn determination, individualism and unending patience will always be the winner. These may not be the optimum qualities always found in the armies of western democracies. I don't see a satisfactory end now either,certainly not a victory.
PS.Alexander, a good warrior but that rag time band was dire.

XRH, agree, look at Vietnam

P.S. - Rag time band ???

The song "Alexanders ragtime band"
bad joke.

LOL, soz, mate, never heard of it

This talk has reminded me of a film (which i've now just ordered), remember it ? -

The Beast

Can't say i do suit,not a big movie watcher.

Sorry about the slow replies,PC is on one again, and i have to keep refreshing the pages.

Try it XRH, its quite good

I'll see,thanks.

Come on and hear (2x), Alexander's Ragtime Band,
Come on and hear (2x), it's the best band in the land!
They can play a bugle call like you never heard before,
So natural that you want to go to war--
That's just the bestest band what am, Honey Lamb!
Come on along (2x), let me take you by the hand
Up to the man (2x), who's the leader of the band,
And if you want to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime
Come on and hear (2x), Alexander's Ragtime Band!

It's very unlikely that any invading army can cause the Afghans to capitulate, we, the British tried it in the 1800s, other countries have also tried more recently. The only thing that'll cause change there are the Afghans themselves. Sadly, as most of that region, religion dominates their lives, remember the Taliban?

We've had problems more locally, for example Northern Ireland, I always remember Dave Allen, the comedian, who said, "the best thing is for god to get out of Ireland."

Isn't it strange how digression can revive old memories.I remember that song from the war,about 1944,when as we all know,there was shortages of things like chocolate.It happened like this,there was a moral boosting concert at the Co-op Hall in Chorley and that was one of they songs that they played and the children were given pieces of chocolate.I recall my turn,when I walked up to the stage there were Ohs and Ahs because I was wearing calipers on both legs.
As for Afghanistan,my understanding of it is that it is not a nation as such,just a geoghraphical location inhabited by a large number of warring tribes,offering loyalty to the highest bidder.

tribal system it is. the more muscle, the more power. but lets not overlook the fundamentalist and dinasaur thinking of those in power.

Tribal system it is Billy,but they make exellent guerrilla fighters and a guerrilla war is not to be taken lightly.A guerrilla war is not a war of technology versus peasantry. Rather, it is a contest of endurance and national will. The side with the greatest moral commitment (ideological, religious or patriotic) will hold the ground at the end of the conflict. Battlefield victory can be almost irrelevant, since victory is often determined by morale, obstinacy and survival.And if the enemy doesn't mind'nay' wishes to die to get his/her reward elsewhere it doesn't help.Lessons that should have been learned long ago.

Its from a film called "There's no business like show business" starring Ethel Merman and Dan Daley. Beltin fillum

afghanistan is the ideal guerrilla war country.hit and run and hide. vietnam same. farmers during the day, then wham bam, where the hell did they come from.

For as long as their are poppy fields in Afghanistan, there will always be a war.

send in rambo he will sort them out

gary...he"s scared of flying. =