I don't think some European nations are cowards they are commited to the war on terror as threats and attacks have happened to their countries its just disagreed with the Bush administrations approach to the war on terror and handling of Afghanistan/Iraq.
If they are committed to the war, then why won't they follow America's lead and our President's pleas for increased troop presence?
Also there was a hell of alot of dislike towards Bush in europe which most likely made euro politicians alot less willing to put support to any kind of operation he was spear heading.
God help us if Tony Blair gets that new european president role they are talking about
They can't use Bush as a reason for their inaction anymore.
Al-Qaeda is a network of terror cells. Occupation of a country and fighting a terrorist network are not the same things. Europe supports the war effort, the occupation thing is trickier. You need to understand that.
Explain how Europe is fighting Al Queda in ways that don't involve Afghanistan. The Taliban and Al Queda are in Afghanistan, we know this. American troops are fighting them now, presently. America is dedicating more troops to the effort, Europe will not do the same.
As opposed to sending their men to die for what could be a lost cause ? We're asking for help dude. They just want a plan that actually WORKS. What Europe wants to avoid is a failed operation like Iraq that lasts on and on for years with no foreseeable end in sight. You can't expect them to fully commit to something without a sound and effective plan. It would be stupid. Calling them cowards is also a *****e act especially when you consider that they have agreed to help out.
It's only a lost cause if we give up. America entered WWII when France had fallen, Germany was on the march and England was being bombed. That was sending our men to die in a lost cause.
Again, if Europe did not benefit from the war on terror, you may have a point. But Europe's safety is threaten by Al Queda as much, if not more than, America's is. And yet they still do not put forth the dedication and the effort of routing out evil. It IS cowardly.
Assuming where the attacks will be next is utterly presumptuous. Al-Qaeda is recognized as a threat and they are staying vigil which is why we share intelligence with each other but Afghanistan IS primarily our problem since America is the one who invaded it. Like it or not, that's the reality of the situation. We'll have support but get used to the idea that the US is mostly on its own.
America's war with Afghanistan was a colaberation of America and her NATO allies, this was not Iraq.
US foreign policy decisions over the decades is what created Al-Qaeda so the problem at its root is not really Afghanistan.
Bull. American foreign policy has helped Al Queda gain power, but it was not what created the evil. Radical islam is the creation of evil men that hijacked a peaceful religion. Al Queda is a creation of Radical islam.
Radical and fundamentalist thought was festered after years of anger and resentment over our missteps and misdeeds. Osama Bin Laden was a Saudi, as were 20% of the 9/11 hijackers. Understand that even as Afghanistan is won, Al-Qaeda would still survive as long as the reasons why they hate us are not properly addressed.
Just because victory in Afghanistan doesnt' solve all of the world's problems doesn't make it any less important.
After the way we screwed up in Iraq, I can sort of understand why Europe might be a little hesitant. I wouldn't be so crass as to call them cowards necessarily, wary is probably more appropriate.
I prefer calling a spade a spade.
