This is actually a very interesting thread, I wouldn't even respond to Larry, because within one page, we all know it will turn into a thread about him being persecuted and his dislike of Obama.

This sounds like an interesting book, im all for the US getting out of Afghanistan as soon as practical, but it has to be done properly. From the standpoint of having not read the book though, id be curious at how we arrived at the assumption that the presence of US troops on the ground is more of a deterrent than before.

After all, India tested their first nuclear device as far back as 1974. With Pakistan following, and supposedly having nuclear capability in 1984, though they didn't test anything till the 90s.

So my question is that India and Pakistan have had the ability to nuke each other since before the Russians got out of Afghanistan. When the Russians withdrew in 89, it didn't happen then, so how much more different are the circumstances now, as far as a power vacuum created?

Why would we naturally assume that the absence of US ground forces would make that much difference?

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