89 killed in suicide blast in Afghanistan

Was a rats nest. Invaded, is a rats nest and will be a rats nest!

I know it is taboo to say this but......Afghanistan was a safer place when the Taliban was in control.

How do you define safe? Public executions, public beatings, beheadings, rape of women, throwing acid in women's faces, mutilating people, NOT allowing girls to get an education, oppression, exposing the strictest law of Sharia.

If you think that was somewhat better, then you are really are completely oblivious to the harsh reality of that country.

Afghanistan was a safer place when the Taliban was in control

everyone knows, but Bush and the weapon industries. How could they sell their goods otherwise?

Has nothing to do with Bush, he's retired. Move on. This is Obama's war. Afghanistan was as he put it "the right war" to fight.

SimondB and Blackrock, It may have been safer within Afghanistan but not for USA as we saw at that time! What would have been next?

Just because it did not make world news the taliban massacred tens of thousands of Afghani's. I would not say "safer" by any measure. Maybe AFTER they gained full control it was.

No doubt the weapons industry thrived, I would not say Bush or the weapons industry cased the war. The intent was to destroy al-qaida. Didn't work. The current outcome could not have been foreseen.

I hate it when people say the only reason why the US invaded Afghanistan is because of the oil. Oil has NOTHING to do with it. The US government know that without oil trade, the Middle East has nothing to trade with. The war in Afghanistan is about arms trade and the good ol' poppy seed. The CIA has been orchestrating the weapons and drug trades into the US for decades. What else would the US do with decommissioned weapons and vehicles? They sell them to militia groups. How else do they get thousands of military grade weapons??

Not sure why someone would say oil. That was the Iraqi thingy.

I had an observation resurface recently; Why is it when we see oppressive forces or terrorists they carry ak47's?

I could be wrong, they are not regionally made. Why is it the bad guys have them almost always. Now that I wrote it this way its left for all the anti USA bashing so go ahead!

they carry ak47

as rifles go, AK47s are more suitable in harsh environments and easy to maintain, that's why. But if you look further I bet vehicles, rockets etc. are USA made.

Somehow you can't convince me rebels are arms experts selecting the best suited rifles. They buy from whomever sells or offers to them. Rockets, a mix. Vehicles, stolen I would say. The rockets from Gaza today and not made in USA.

There are lots of countries that copy the AK47 design. China being one of the larger exporters.

Bass - I think all the things you listed are still happening there today PLUS the added benefit of bombs and open warfare.

Poland, Romania of the top of my head produce ak's also, or did when they were soviet satellites. Quality a bit shabby from some. Point being "eastern block" nations seem to make available weapons to the worlds rebels.

Obama had 5.5 years to work our way out of Afghanistan thus far I see no positive progress.

CIA has and likely operated many underhanded operations. Not all are as terrible as some want you to believe. Yes, they supplied the mujahideen for GOOD reason at that time. When the brutal taliban overthrew Massoud they acquired those former CIA weapons.

bass4funkJul. 16, 2014 - 09:19AM JST

Has nothing to do with Bush, he's retired.

Whoat? He is retired? Well, you do not understand why elected US officiasl have to be sworn under the oath. They cannot retire. The responsibility goes beyond the retirement. You may want to read a current bill in the Senate.

Senators currently are allowed to work as lobbyists two years after their terms end, while House members have to wait only a year. Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Jon Tester of Montana, however, would like to keep former congressmen out of the lobbying business for good.

MarkGJul. 16, 2014 - 09:01PM JST

Obama had 5.5 years to work our way out of Afghanistan thus far I see no positive progress.

What did he do? OBL is dead. OBL is dead. That's a major accomplishment.

First of all, how on the earth did we get in there? Any idea, Mark G?

Yes Global, 9-11! A damn good reason if you ask me. Staying over a year baffled me. When a new president cam along in 2008 on the "end all wars" as part of the platform nearly 6 years ago. I'd agree with Bass. It is Obama's war now. Not by inheritance any longer.

OBL is dead. Good job US intelligence and Seals! I must give a pat on the back to Obama giving the green light for the operation. I don't congratulate completely when the informant who provided the intel still rots in a Pakistan prison. This man should be $25M richer!

@global

Whoat? He is retired? Well, you do not understand why elected US officiasl have to be sworn under the oath. They cannot retire. The responsibility goes beyond the retirement. You may want to read a current bill in the Senate.

If you go by that, then we should be able to blame Obama for the next two decades once he leaves office, since he cannot retire as you say, he'll be fair game. Just like Lincoln will always be remembered for the emancipation of the Slaves, Obama will be remembered for screwing up this country, surpassing Jimmy Carter.

What did he do? OBL is dead. OBL is dead. That's a major accomplishment.

Obama got OBL and in his void and with screwing up his own foreign policy allowed Al Qaeda, ISIL and the Taliban to regroup, I'd say on that part it's bigger than a major failure, it's a cluster.......