There are simply no good options when it comes to Afghanistan.

The regional tribalism system in Afghanistan—in combination with the impossible terrain of the rugged countryside—has brought down every country that has attempted to invade and control it. If the US persists in our present efforts to do so, only the same can happen to us.

Many reports from Afghanistan indicate we are again in the middle of yet another country's civil war. We are now on the same side the Soviets were on in their war—when we were arming and supporting the same people we are now fighting.

The treatment of women and children in Afghanistan is heartbreaking, but U.S. backed Hamid Karzai has recently signed laws that do nothing but reinforce the plight of women in his country. If a U.S. backed president is not willing to support laws that protect women in his own country, we cannot do it.  Afghanistan's culture is as old as the ages and it is up to them to change it.

Beyond the multitude of reasons of whether we should leave, “blood and treasure” are the most compelling. We have neither the troops to continue to send nor the money to pay for it. We have serious issues in our own country that must be addressed. The fight against terrorism requires police/intelligence work and diplomacy with other nations around the world to be successful.  As a fraud investigator where I did investigations to identify members (who often did not use their own names) of fraud rings, I used many of the same tools law enforcement uses in their efforts to identify those who would harm us.  Little attention was paid to identity theft in the 9/11 Commission report.  Identity theft  and terrorism (including insurance fraud and other white collar crimes) go hand in hand.  (See Identifying the Links Between White Collar Crimes and Terrorism.)  These are areas where we should spend our money to protect our national security.

General James Jones stated in October 2009 there were less than 100 Al Qaeda remaining in Afghanistan and they no longer had the wherewithal to attack us or anyone else.

Al-Qaeda's organization is, however, positioned globally throughout the world. If our goal is to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat” them, we will not find them just in Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iraq. It can only be done through international cooperation utilizing intelligence, police enforcement and targeted limited military involvement, when necessary, as we are currently doing in Yemen.

It's time to bring the troops home. They have valiantly performed their duty for our country. They have sacrificed enough. Now we need to care for them.