Article

2009-08-10 Afghanistan

U.S. commander says Taliban have Afghan momentum

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Posted by Penguin 2009-08-10 09:07|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 The Taliban have advanced out of traditional strongholds in Afghanistan's south and east, gaining the upper hand as they moved into the north and west,

Which "We'll go as long as we don't have to fight" NATO Troops are in charge of those areas?

Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2009-08-10 10:34|| 2009-08-10 10:34|| Front Page Top

#2 My first thought upon seeing this is to wonder how much of this is related to the new ROEs imposed by McChrystal.

I appreciate the desire to limit collateral damage and the need to win hearts and minds but it's kind of tough to fight with one arm tied behind your back (and sometimes two).

Posted by eltoroverde 2009-08-10 11:07|| 2009-08-10 11:07|| Front Page Top

#3 This is a message to Washington. However, it is unclear exactly what he is really saying, as it could mean many things.

The Taliban are no longer a serious threat. The Helmand offensive is cutting them off from much of their money, and the Paks are policing them up, or channeling them into Baluchistan.

And that is where the real action is going to be.

Posted by Anonymoose 2009-08-10 12:00|| 2009-08-10 12:00|| Front Page Top

#4 Hitler's Wermacht advanced 30 miles per day towards Moscow only to be encircled near the Soviet capital. From that point, reinforcement of front-line units and even the retreat were hampered by roadside bombs, ambushes and snipers.
That type of war is extremely easy to fight, and is both a proven morale killer and requires minimum use of resources.

I monitor "Winter Soldiers" rhetoric. Even admitting that that group is made of irresolute weasels, doesn't negate the fact that their ideas are the result of failure to affirm the following: the only thing that can defeat guerilla war is disproportionate retaliation. I have always advocated widespread use of Napalm in Afghanistan and Iraq. Cold War conditions frustrated Soviet military operations in Afghanistan; we are not frustrated, except by "hearts and minds" rubbish.

Posted by Unitle Borgia4836 2009-08-10 20:07|| 2009-08-10 20:07|| Front Page Top

#5 Compare wid PAKISTANI DEFENCE FORUM > US PENTAGON DISPUTES CLAIM THAT THE TALIBAN ARE WINNING IN AFGHANISTAN [vee WSJ "Taliban Are Winning" artic].

Posted by JosephMendiola">JosephMendiola 2009-08-10 20:26|| NA]">[NA] 2009-08-10 20:26|| Front Page Top

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