brucejoel99
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Posts: 19,717
Political Matrix
E: -3.48, S: -3.30
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« on: July 13, 2019, 02:11:14 PM » |
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I think, in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, Clinton would've definitely responded with cruise missile strikes against presumed terrorist targets. He'd also reap the same popularity boost that Bush did from the "rally 'round the flag" effect. Yes, there'd be questions about the administration's actions (i.e. was everything done to prevent the attacks; etc.), but I think it'd (for the time being, anyway) be drowned out by the patriotic fervor. It'd be seen as Clinton's Pearl Harbor moment.
Going forward, he'd certainly aim to oust the Taliban, although he might be more likely to hope airpower & local Afghans could do it all. On the other hand, he might take a "once-burned" approach & respond even more forcefully & thoroughly than Bush did to perceived threats elsewhere in the Middle East & North Africa, although Iraq would certainly not be very high on his list.
Also, a Clinton-initiated military operation against the Taliban/war in Afghanistan wouldn't have been run by the Bush Administration's neo-con hardliners &, thus, would probably look like a great big special ops mission instead.
An earlier 9/11 would also have long-term consequences for Afghanistan itself as well, as Ahmad Shah Massoud would've still been alive (having been originally assassinated on 9/9/2001) to provide the US-led coalition with a strong & legitimate ally in the country, as he was a national hero who'd been fighting Soviets, the Taliban, & warlords for years, all the while keeping his own holdings safe & sound. This would be much better than Karzai's corrupt & inept government, would allow the US to deploy less forces on the ground, & would lead to a more stable country.
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