isn't it time to recognise that military action was in this case the right course of action to get rid of the Taleban ?

just about the only people I can think of at the moment who would benefit from ceasing military action are Al-Qaeda and Bin Laden.

people's 'sincerest' beliefs are usually attached to their political affiliations...

Not to mention that we could (potentially) benefit greatly by ceasing war. £2 million buys transport for 1 million into London on the tube. It buys 2 nursery schools in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, kitted out and ready for students. It buys 2 Tomahawk Cruise Missiles, of ageing build, suitable only for usage in the 'dispose of the old and get a shiny new one' military mindset that is constantly seeking to upgrade to the latest technology, whilst getting rid of that which is old-fashioned by using it.
War is, ultimately, making rich capitalist arms traders even richer, whilst depriving whole geo-regions of stability and security which are desperately needed by so many people today.

'War is the Health of the State'- an old proverb

If i recall correctly, this proverb was coined by Klauswitz, and it gave rise to the term 'warfare state'. ironically, the 'welfare state' was intended as a parody of the former !

Also, in response toAndrew, we can't say the Taleban have 'gone'. The people celebrating in 'liberated' Kabul are doubtless those in Kabul who do not belong to the Pashtun ethnic group, or those Pashtuns who have some more specific reason for disliking the Taleban.

The Taleban will have gone to ground in the south east, where they are (ethnically) strong, and dislodging them will now be impossible militarily without many, many needless deaths and a long campaign, So no, innocents will benefit from a cessation of military violence. Andrew seems to forget them. A continuation of US/UK military action would be the worst possible move at this stage in the game. And what is this 'power vacuum' Blair is so afraid of??? In Kabul, it appears to be party time. Why not let them keep it that way?

The US and UK should sieze the day and cease all military action now. Change has occurred. That change needs to be fermented to extract only the positive outcomes that it might have. The outcomes that might promote peace.

The only action the US, UK and other members of the 'coalition' should take is to support in public words and in gentle diplomacy, the institution of immediate and wide ranging peace talks within Afghanistan, possibly with some UN moderation or whatever.

As for Al-Quaeda, it is time fro the West to address itself to its own culpability in the matter.

So there is only one war? Afghanistan? What about the rest of the World being ravaged by Corporate Scum for oil, gold, diamonds and drugs, Sudan, Indonesia, Zaire, Columbia.

Just because it's not "news."

There is no reason to cease protest until the N.W.O. is driven into the sea, or they will engage us all in eternal war, for profit.