Unfotunately, the West or at least Western European nations, have to abide by certain democratic procedures even in terms of military operations -- thus "send(ing) across a couple of Bombardiers to spray them to death?" may not be acceptable given the great probability of wiping out every living being within the perimeter.
This is where the govt in place should cooperate to the fullest. NATO must be bold and demand of the Afghan govt their full cooperation.
Sometimes I wonder if the opium cartel is not more powerful in military terms than the all of the western military combined!
So either the NATO force is a complete farce or NATO is intentionally not doing anything to hamper poppy production.
I don't see how dropping herbicide on poppy crops will wipe out anything except the crops.
Two words: Agent Orange.
'Sides, you'll have to provide the farmer with something else to grow - and prevent the local warlords from killing him when he stops growing poppy - otherwise he'll just re-plant his field next year. Or starve to death. Or get killed by goons for not delivering his quota of poppy. That is not how you win hearts and minds.
- Jake If you only spend 20 minutes of the rest of your life on economics, go spend them here.
Now I understand why the US military is present in every major drug center on earth.
