Why Are We In Afghanistan?

We want them to be like us. That is not going to happen.

They beat the Soviets, as they beat the British of Kipling's time, the time he wrote "A Soldier of the Queen," ending:

"When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,

"And the women come out to cut up what remains,

"Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains

"An' go to your Gawd like a soldier."

And they will defeat us. They have been there for centuries, and they will be there for centuries more. They have no place else to go. We do and we will.

Obama is sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan. "Why?" asks Richard Reeves.