To the editor:

Anyone who knows the history of Afghanistan for the past 300 years knows that their religion and the rules that govern their lives are one and the same. Even those who have co-operated with us consider us infidels at best. No invaders have ever succeeded in bringing meaningful change to the basic way of life in Afghanistan and no one ever will unless they kill, at minimum, 27 million of their people.

Certainly the 500,000 Russian troops proved inadequate as did the British before them. We violate every principle they live by and attempt to rally support for a totally corrupt central power that is viewed as our puppet. Our true enemies are in Pakistan, but we invade the homes in Afghanistan and kill their men, women and children and those we do not kill we maim.

We blame the Taliban and say they are part of a conspiracy. Yet the Afghans welcome them as protectors fighting an occupying force. One thing everyone concedes is that 100 years with half a million troops would bring about no lasting change when we leave. So stop the killing now and save a lot of lives.