I knew my friend's position would be very very unpopular here at ET if not outright UNTENABLE (and I warned him) but I decided to publish it in this diary because I too believe that the only way forward is to GO forward.

The harm's been done and through NATO and Western NGOs in situ can only soldier on -- even if it means picking up the pieces of a thoroughly foul adventure that was started by the Americans.

Unless of course, others have other propositions?

I would like very much to have YOUR own take based on a your own question:

"What expense of blood and treasure, how much increased world tension, are we willing to go to, on the basis of such an outdated, reactionary worldview?"