Happy Memorial Day!

Well, I frequently complain about some of the foreign policy decisions that lead our nation into some controversial conflicts, but I really do appreciate the troops and have deep respect for the sacrifices that they make.
Last night I was watching a documentary about 9/11, and I was disturbed to see some old, pre-9/11 video of Osama Bin Laden talking about how he was planning some terrorist attacks which would draw the U.S. into a military conflict in Afghanistan, a theater for war in which Bin Laden was convinced he could have a strategic advantage.

I watched the video, thought about the fact that the Soviet Union had been unsuccessful in defeating a jihadist insurgency during their nine year occupation of the region, and felt a bit dismayed.

On the other hand, the war in Afghanistan seems like the kind of conflict that we might really not have much choice in fighting. The Taliban and Al Qaeda have already demonstrated quite vividly the sorts of activities that they intend to involve themselves in if left to their own devices, and it seems like leaving them alone (to plan and mount further terrorist attacks against the U.S. and its allies) just isn't a viable option. We may not like the fact that we're in Afghanistan, but it seems like it's probably a war that we really do need to fight.

Anyway, today I'm taking a moment to think about the troops who have given their lives in the effort to keep our country safe and our world stable and about the troops who continue to risk their lives in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. I send them my sincere gratitude.