So if we had capitalized on intel regarding 9/11..

[Syringer]

In say July of 2001 we decided bin Laden and the Taliban were a serious threat to us, what exactly could we have done? Could we have taken part of post 9/11 activities in Afghanistan, and if we did, would we have been able to uncover evidence that they were an immediate threat to us?

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Syringer
In say July of 2001 we decided bin Laden and the Taliban were a serious threat to us, what exactly could we have done? Could we have taken part of post 9/11 activities in Afghanistan, and if we did, would we have been able to uncover evidence that they were an immediate threat to us?

Given that we had intel that pointed to hijacking of commercial airplanes, we could have tightened security at airports and airlines, and perhaps developed plans to quickly identify and respond to hijackings.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: Syringer
In say July of 2001 we decided bin Laden and the Taliban were a serious threat to us, what exactly could we have done? Could we have taken part of post 9/11 activities in Afghanistan, and if we did, would we have been able to uncover evidence that they were an immediate threat to us?

Given that we had intel that pointed to hijacking of commercial airplanes, we could have tightened security at airports and airlines, and perhaps developed plans to quickly identify and respond to hijackings.

And we could have bet it all on New England to win the Super Bowl!

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: Syringer
In say July of 2001 we decided bin Laden and the Taliban were a serious threat to us, what exactly could we have done? Could we have taken part of post 9/11 activities in Afghanistan, and if we did, would we have been able to uncover evidence that they were an immediate threat to us?

Given that we had intel that pointed to hijacking of commercial airplanes, we could have tightened security at airports and airlines, and perhaps developed plans to quickly identify and respond to hijackings.

And we could have bet it all on New England to win the Super Bowl!

If you have a point in there somewhere, please explain. Otherwise, you're just making noise.

yourself

 

[Warin]

his own inane little way, he is trying to pint out the futility of what if? games.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Warin
his own inane little way, he is trying to pint out the futility of what if? games.

Perhaps, but that's the whole point of this thread. Syringer is asking a what-if question.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Originally posted by: Syringer
In say July of 2001 we decided bin Laden and the Taliban were a serious threat to us, what exactly could we have done? Could we have taken part of post 9/11 activities in Afghanistan, and if we did, would we have been able to uncover evidence that they were an immediate threat to us?

Tightened up airport security.
Tightened up on immigration violations.
Armed pilots.
Changed our SOP when dealing with highjackings.
Actually have defenses in place for our military HQ (I still shake my head at the lack of this).

I know the argument you are trying to start, but with the domestic policies we could have changed, the diplomatic channels we could have taken (other contires wanted OBL too), and military operations we could have implemented (short of a full-scale invasion), I don't think we would have been justified in a full scale invasion in Afghanistan (I wouldn't include the Taliban as a threat per se, but definitely in a supporting role).

But that being said, I think after the fact, a full scale invasion and a change in domestic (and foreign) polices was the proper way to handle it (though I don't agree with many of those aspects this adminstration has taken dealing with this specific situation either).