We have armed Taliban

Using mostly the brilliantly simple tactics of fear and the appeal to greed, the Taliban swiftly and almost without conflict took over territory and obtained arms and equipment supplied with our tax dollars.

It has been known for years that the Afghan cultures and problems were complex, but we continued to pour money into the country in an attempt to make them more like us. Now they will go back to who they are, with some knowledge of other possibilities, but under repressive rulers who now possess our sophisticated arms and equipment.

So, the situation is worse. The Afghan people will suffer, the country will be a haven for all kinds of terrorists to use those supplies, and we are left with our losses of men, money and honor.

Marilyn Gibbs

Arlington Heights