I agree with your second statement wholeheartedly, but to your first I would say "In the case of Afghanistan, perhaps we should have been there before 9/11"Fair enough, can't disagree with that... My point about using softer / more discreet methods would apply in that case as well, resulting in less radicalization of the population, and might actually stand a chance at reducing the fundamentalist footprint before it got out of control.
There was real live state sponsored terrorism going on there for years.
We weren't doing enough prior to 9/11 to prevent the establishment of that country as a safe haven, that's true. But I still wouldn't advocate large-scale military offensives like those that have taken place since, as that would have precipitated something like 9/11 even sooner had they been used as a preventive measure.
Quiet diplomacy and offering incentives that trump whatever the fundamentalists are offering would go a long way.
